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 B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Immunization for rubella in the third trimester is not recommended because live vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy due to the theoretical risk to the fetus.
Choice B reason:
The recommended time for rubella immunization is shortly after giving birth. This timing is advised because the vaccine contains a live virus, which could potentially harm the fetus if given during pregnancy. By waiting until after the delivery, there is no risk to the newborn, and the mother can develop immunity before any subsequent pregnancies.
Choice C reason:
While it is important for a woman to have immunity to rubella before getting pregnant, the immunization should not be given during the time she is trying to conceive. Women are advised to avoid pregnancy for at least 28 days after receiving the MMR vaccine, which includes the rubella component, due to the live virus in the vaccine.
Choice D reason:
Immunization for rubella should not be given immediately upon finding out that the client does not have immunity during the first trimester. As mentioned, live vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy, and the immunization should be postponed until after the birth of the baby.
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.
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