A nursery nurse is performing a shift assessment on a baby who was born 8 hours ago via a vacuum-assisted vaginal birth and notices caput succedaneum. Which of the following statements regarding caput succedaneum is correct?
"Caput succedaneum is a concern and I need to call the pediatrician right away."
"Caput succedaneum is self-limiting and goes away on its own within 3-5 days.
Caput succedaneum is caused by the cranial bones changing shape to get through the maternal pelvis.
"Caput succedaneum is bleeding on the brain that does not cross the suture line."
The Correct Answer is B
Caput succedaneum is a common condition in newborns that causes swelling of the soft tissues of the scalp. It is usually caused by pressure on the baby's head during delivery and can be seen in both vaginal and instrumental births, such as vacuum-assisted deliveries. It generally crosses the suture lines, unlike a cephalohematoma.
Caput succedaneum is not a serious condition and generally resolves on its own within a few days without any treatment. However, the nurse should continue to monitor the newborn for signs of jaundice, which can occur due to the breakdown of red blood cells in the swelling.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Based on the provided information, the probable diagnosis for the spontaneous abortion in this woman would be a threatened abortion, since the cervix is closed and there is no evidence of expulsion of fetal or placental tissue. A threatened abortion is defined as vaginal bleeding occurring before the 20th week of gestation, with a closed cervical os, and no expulsion of fetal or placental tissue.
The other types of spontaneous abortion are defined as follows:
B. Inevitable abortion: vaginal bleeding and cramping with an open cervical os, with or without expulsion of fetal or placental tissue
C. Missed abortion: fetal demise without expulsion of fetal tissue, and may be associated with a closed cervical os and absence of uterine contractions
D. Incomplete abortion: partial expulsion of fetal or placental tissue, with or without vaginal bleeding, and may be associated with an open cervical os and uterine contractions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The most common indication for a vacuum-assisted delivery is a prolonged second stage of labor, which means that the mother has been pushing for an extended period without effective descent of the fetal head. The vacuum can help to provide traction to the fetal head and assist with delivery.
Option A is incorrect because a vacuum-assisted delivery is not indicated for the prevention of fetal abnormalities.
Option B is incorrect because a vacuum-assisted delivery is not indicated for the prevention of maternal hemorrhage.
Option D is incorrect because a prolonged first stage of labor is not an indication of
vacuum-assisted delivery. In this case, other interventions, such as augmentation of labor with oxytocin, may be used.
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