A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a newborn who is 1 day old and has a prescription for gavage feeding.
Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening is typically performed much later in pregnancy, usually between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation. This screening is crucial for identifying carriers and administering prophylactic antibiotics during labor to prevent vertical transmission to the newborn, which can cause severe infections like sepsis or meningitis.

Choice B rationale

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening is a standard diagnostic test offered to all pregnant clients during their first prenatal visit, typically around 12 weeks of gestation. Early detection allows for timely interventions, such as antiretroviral therapy, to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission and improve maternal health outcomes.

Choice C rationale

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is an invasive diagnostic procedure performed earlier in pregnancy, usually between 10 and 13 weeks of gestation, but it is not a routine screening test. It is typically offered to clients at high risk for genetic disorders due to family history, advanced maternal age, or abnormal prenatal screening results.

Choice D rationale

Cervical cone biopsy is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure used to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix, typically to evaluate or treat abnormal cervical cells. It is not a routine diagnostic test during a normal prenatal visit and is usually performed prior to pregnancy or if there are specific gynecological concerns.

Choice A rationale

A prolonged period of absent FHR variability is a critical finding that the nurse must report to the provider immediately. Absent variability indicates a significant lack of fetal well-being, potentially due to severe hypoxia, acidosis, or neurological compromise. It necessitates prompt intervention to prevent adverse outcomes.

Choice B rationale

An FHR increase to 150/min is within the normal fetal heart rate range, which typically falls between 110 and 160 beats per minute. This finding alone does not indicate a problem and would not require reporting to the provider, as it suggests adequate fetal oxygenation and an appropriately reactive fetus.

Choice C rationale

FHR accelerations of 15/min for 15 seconds are a positive sign of fetal well-being. Accelerations indicate an intact fetal nervous system and adequate oxygenation. They are a reassuring finding and suggest that the fetus is tolerating the labor process well, therefore not requiring reporting.

Choice D rationale

Early decelerations of the FHR are typically benign and do not require reporting to the provider. These decelerations are usually associated with head compression during contractions and are characterized by a gradual decrease in FHR that mirrors the contraction, indicating a physiological response.