A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a new mother about the purpose of administering vitamin K to her newborn following delivery. The nurse should explain that the purpose of administering vitamin K is to prevent which of the following complications?
Bleeding.
Infection.
Potassium deficiency.
Hyperbilirubinemia.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A: The correct answer is (a) Bleeding. The purpose of administering vitamin K to a newborn following delivery is to prevent bleeding complications. Vitamin K plays a crucial role in the synthesis of blood clotting factors, specifically factors II, VII, IX, and X. Newborns have low levels of vitamin K at birth, and it takes a few days for their bodies to start producing it. This places them at risk of developing vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), which can lead to serious bleeding problems, including bleeding into the brain (intracranial haemorrhage). By giving the newborn a vitamin K injection, this deficiency is corrected, reducing the risk of bleeding complications.
Choice B rationale
(b) Infection. Administering vitamin K to a newborn is not intended to prevent infections. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and does not have a direct role in preventing or treating infections. Infection prevention measures involve proper hygiene practices and vaccination, but vitamin K is unrelated to this aspect of care.
Choice C rationale
(c) Potassium deficiency. Administering vitamin K to a newborn has no impact on potassium levels. Potassium is a different essential nutrient that plays a vital role in various physiological processes, but it is not related to blood clotting. The administration of vitamin K is specific to preventing bleeding complications, not addressing potassium deficiency.
Choice D rationale
(d) Hyperbilirubinemia. The correct answer is not (d) Hyperbilirubinemia. Vitamin K administration is not aimed at preventing or treating hyperbilirubinemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. Hyperbilirubinemia is related to the breakdown of red blood cells and the liver's ability to process bilirubin, whereas vitamin K's primary role is in the clotting cascade.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Stimulate the infant to cry. While stimulating the infant to cry is a common practice to assess the newborn's respiratory function, it is not the first action the nurse should perform in this situation. The newborn may cry spontaneously or may require other interventions, such as clearing the respiratory tract, before crying.
Choice B rationale:
Clear the respiratory tract. Clearing the respiratory tract is the priority action in this scenario. It ensures that the airway is open and allows the infant to breathe effectively. This is crucial because newborns are at higher risk of respiratory distress after birth, and prompt action can prevent complications.
Choice C rationale:
Dry the infant off and cover the head. Drying the infant off and covering the head are important steps to prevent heat loss and maintain the newborn's body temperature. However, these actions can be delayed briefly until the respiratory tract is cleared, as the immediate focus should be on ensuring the infant's ability to breathe.
Choice D rationale:
Clamp the umbilical cord. Clamping the umbilical cord is a standard procedure after birth to prevent bleeding and infection. However, it is not the priority in this situation. The first step should be to ensure the newborn's airway is clear and they can breathe adequately.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The cervix is dilated 3 cm: This indicates the width of the cervical opening, which is 3 cm wide.
It is effaced 30%: This means the cervix has effaced or thinned out by 30%, indicating how much the cervix has shortened and thinned in preparation for labor.
The presenting part is 1 cm above the ischial spines (indicated by the negative number, -1): This measurement shows the position of the baby's head in relation to the ischial spines of the pelvis. In this case, the baby's head is 1 cm above the ischial spines.
Option A ("The cervix is dilated 3 cm, it is effaced 30%, and the presenting part is 1 cm below the ischial spines."): This option incorrectly interprets the baby's position as being 1 cm below the ischial spines, which is not the case. The negative sign (-1) in the documentation indicates that the presenting part is 1 cm above the ischial spines.
Option B ("The cervix is effaced 3 cm, it is dilated 30%, and the presenting part is 1 cm above the ischial spines."): This option switches the interpretation of dilation and effacement. In the original documentation, the dilation is given as 3 cm, while effacement is 30%. This option incorrectly states that effacement is 3 cm and dilation is 30%. Additionally, it correctly identifies the presenting part's position.
Option C ("The cervix is effaced 3 cm, it is dilated 30%, and the presenting part is 1 cm below the ischial spines."): This option correctly interprets effacement and dilation but incorrectly states that the presenting part is 1 cm below the ischial spines. The original documentation indicates that the presenting part is 1 cm above the ischial spines, as denoted by the negative sign (-1).
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