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 A
Explanation
Choice A reason: The indirect Coombs test is used to screen for antibodies in the mother's blood that could potentially cause hemolytic disease in the newborn if they are Rh-positive. A positive result indicates that the mother has developed antibodies that could cross the placenta and attack the red blood cells of an Rh-positive fetus.
Choice B reason: The indirect Coombs test does not detect Rh-negative antibodies in the newborn's blood. Instead, it is used to detect antibodies in the mother's blood. The direct Coombs test is used to detect antibodies that are already attached to the red blood cells of the newborn.
Choice C reason: The indirect Coombs test does not determine if kernicterus will occur in the newborn. Kernicterus is a form of brain damage that can result from very high levels of bilirubin in a baby's blood. It is not directly related to the presence of antibodies detected by the indirect Coombs test.
Choice D reason: The indirect Coombs test does not determine the presence of maternal antibodies in the newborn's blood. This is assessed by the direct Coombs test, which checks for antibodies bound to the surface of the newborn's red blood cells, indicating that the immune system is attacking them.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice a reason:
An irregular fetal heart rate is not typically associated with a hydatidiform mole because, in many cases of complete molar pregnancy, there is no fetus, and thus no fetal heart rate to assess. In partial molar pregnancies, there may be a fetus with an irregular heart rate, but this is not a definitive sign of a hydatidiform mole.
Choice b reason:
Profuse, clear vaginal discharge is not a common finding in hydatidiform mole. The typical vaginal discharge associated with a molar pregnancy is often described as "grape-like" or "prune juice-like" due to the presence of molar tissue being passed.
Choice c reason:
A rapid decline in hCG levels is not expected in hydatidiform mole; in fact, unusually high levels of hCG are more characteristic of this condition. The abnormal placental tissue in a molar pregnancy tends to produce higher than normal amounts of hCG.
Choice d reason:
Excessive uterine enlargement is a key finding in hydatidiform mole. The uterus often becomes larger than expected for the gestational age because the abnormal placental tissue grows rapidly and takes up more space within the uterus. This can happen within 10 to 16 weeks of gestation and is one of the primary clinical signs that lead to the suspicion of a molar pregnancy.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today