A nurse is updating the plan of care for a newborn who is undergoing phototherapy. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan?
Monitor the newborn's blood glucose level hourly.
Apply lotion to the newborn's skin twice per day.
Maintain the newborn in a prone position
Encourage the newborn to breastfeed every 2 hr.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason:
Monitoring the newborn's blood glucose level hourly is not necessary for a newborn undergoing phototherapy. Phototherapy does not affect blood glucose levels, and hourly monitoring would be too invasive and stressful for the newborn. •
Choice B reason:
Applying lotion to the newborn's skin twice per day is not recommended for a newborn undergoing phototherapy. Lotion can interfere with the effectiveness of the phototherapy and increase the risk of skin irritation or infection. •
Choice C reason:
Maintaining the newborn in a prone position is not advisable for a newborn undergoing phototherapy. The newborn should be positioned on alternate sides to expose as much skin surface as possible to the light source. •
Choice D reason:
Encouraging the newborn to breastfeed every 2 hr is an appropriate action for a newborn undergoing phototherapy. Frequent feeding helps to promote hydration and the elimination of bilirubin from the body.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A:
Lidocaine gel to the umbilical stump is not a medication that the nurse should expect to administer to a newborn immediately following birth. Lidocaine gel is a topical anesthetic that is used to numb the skin before procedures such as injections or sutures. It is not indicated for the umbilical stump, which does not require any anesthesia.
Choice B:
Hepatitis B immunization is a medication that the nurse should expect to administer to a newborn immediately following birth. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause liver damage and cancer. The immunization protects the newborn from contracting the infection from the mother or other sources. The immunization is given as an intramuscular injection in the anterolateral thigh within 12 hours of birth.
Choice C:
Phytonadione injection is a medication that the nurse should expect to administer to a newborn immediately following birth. Phytonadione is also known as vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. Newborns have low levels of vitamin K at birth, which puts them at risk of bleeding disorders such as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. The injection is given as a single dose of 0.5 to 1 mg in the vastus lateralis muscle within 1 hour of birth.
Choice D:
Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment is a medication that the nurse should expect to administer to a newborn immediately following birth. Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment prevents eye infections caused by bacteria such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, which can be transmitted from the mother during delivery. The ointment is applied to both eyes within 1 hour of birth.
Choice E:
Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib) is not a medication that the nurse should expect to administer to a newborn immediately following birth. Hib is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and other serious illnesses. The vaccine protects the newborn from Hib infection, but it is not given at birth. The vaccine is part of the routine immunization schedule and is usually given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
This is a caput succedaneum, which is a collection of fluid from pressure of the vacuum extractor. This is the correct answer because caput succedaneum is a swelling of the scalp that crosses the suture line and is caused by prolonged pressure on the baby's head during delivery. It can also result from the use of vacuum extraction or forceps. Caput succedaneum is harmless and usually resolves on its own within a few days.
Choice B reason:
This is erythema toxicum, which is a transient allergic reaction that causes edema in the skin. This is incorrect because erythema toxicum is a common rash that affects newborns, but it does not cause swelling of the scalp or cross the suture line. It appears as red blotches with small white or yellow bumps that can occur anywhere on the body. Erythema toxicum is also harmless and usually disappears within a week.
Choice C reason:
This is a cephalhematoma, which will resolve on its own in 3 to 5 days. This is incorrect because cephalhematoma is bleeding under the scalp that does not cross the suture line and is caused by ruptured blood vessels in the scalp. It can also result from the use of vacuum extraction or forceps. Cephalhematoma may take weeks or months to resolve and can increase the risk of jaundice.
Choice D reason:
This is a Mongolian spot, which is found on many newborns. This is incorrect because Mongolian spots are bluish-gray patches of skin that are present at birth and are caused by melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) that are trapped in the deeper layers of the skin. They are not related to swelling or pressure on the head and usually fade by age 5.
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