A nurse is teaching a newborn's parent how to care for the umbilical cord stump. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Apply petroleum jelly to the cord stump.
Give a sponge bath until the cord stump falls off.
Cover the cord with the diaper.
Wash the cord daily with mild soap and water.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
Applying petroleum jelly to the umbilical cord stump is not recommended. The goal is to keep the stump dry to encourage the healing process. Petroleum jelly is a moisture barrier and could potentially keep the area too moist, which may delay the drying and falling off of the stump.
Choice B reason:
Giving sponge baths until the cord stump falls off is the correct practice. It is important to keep the stump dry, so sponge baths are preferred over tub baths during this time. This helps prevent the stump from staying wet, which can lead to infection or delayed healing.
Choice C reason:
It is not advised to cover the cord with the diaper. Instead, the diaper should be folded down away from the stump or use diapers with a special cut-out to keep the stump exposed to air. This helps the stump to dry and fall off more quickly.
Choice D reason:
Washing the cord daily with mild soap and water is not necessary and could be counterproductive. The stump should be kept dry, and if it gets dirty, it can be cleaned gently with a soft, damp cloth and then dried thoroughly. Regular bathing can introduce moisture, which may increase the risk of infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Elevating the client's legs can help increase venous return to the heart and may be beneficial in some cases of hypotension. However, it is not the first-line action for hypotension in a client with an epidural block during labor.
Choice B reason:
Notifying the provider is important, but it is not the immediate priority action. The provider should be informed after initial measures to stabilize the client's blood pressure have been taken.
Choice C reason:
Placing the client in a lateral position is the priority nursing action for hypotension during labor with an epidural block. This position helps improve uterine blood flow and can help increase blood pressure. It is a part of the initial management of hypotension in this situation.
Choice D reason:
Monitoring vital signs every 5 minutes is an important part of ongoing assessment but is not the immediate priority action. The nurse should first address the hypotension and then continue to monitor the client closely.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is generally not directly associated with maternal smoking. It is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin. Risk factors for Type 1 diabetes include family history and possibly environmental factors, but maternal smoking is not a recognized risk factor.
Choice B reason:
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to poor growth of a fetus while in the mother's womb during pregnancy. The causes of IUGR are many, but maternal smoking is a well-documented risk factor. Smoking during pregnancy can reduce oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus, leading to low birth weight and other complications.
Choice C reason:
While smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of various health issues, there is no direct and consistent evidence linking it to hearing loss in newborns. Hearing loss in newborns can be due to genetic factors, infections during pregnancy, or complications at birth.
Choice D reason:
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, and their causes can be multifactorial, including genetic and environmental factors. Maternal smoking has been associated with an increased risk of certain congenital heart defects, but the relationship is not as strong as with intrauterine growth restriction.
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