A pregnant woman at 37 weeks of gestation has had ruptured membranes for 26 hours. A cesarean section is performed for failure to progress. The fetal heart rate (FHR) before birth is 180 beats per minute with limited variability. At birth, the newborn has Apgar scores of 6 and 7 at 1 and 5 minutes and is noted to be pale and tachypneic. Based on the maternal history, what is the most likely cause of this newborn's distress?

Choice A reason: Painless red vaginal bleeding is the most characteristic finding of placenta previa, which is a condition where the placenta covers the cervical opening and can cause bleeding in the third trimester. Painless red vaginal bleeding occurs because the placenta is detached from the lower uterine segment as the cervix dilates or effaces, and the blood vessels are torn. The bleeding can be mild or severe, and it can recur or persist until delivery.

Choice B reason: Intermittent abdominal pain following passage of bloody mucus is not a finding that supports placenta previa, but rather a finding that suggests normal labor or preterm labor. Intermittent abdominal pain is caused by uterine contractions, which can be regular or irregular, and can increase in frequency, duration, and intensity. Bloody mucus is the mucus plug that is expelled from the cervix as it dilates or effaces, and it can be tinged with blood or streaked with blood.

Choice C reason: Increasing abdominal pain with a nonrelaxed uterus is not a finding that supports placenta previa, but rather a finding that indicates abruptio placentae, which is a premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. Increasing abdominal pain is caused by the bleeding and the hematoma formation behind the placenta, which can compress the uterine muscle and the nerve endings. Nonrelaxed uterus is a sign of uterine hypertonicity, which can reduce the blood flow and the oxygen delivery to the fetus.

Choice D reason: Abdominal pain with scant red vaginal bleeding is not a finding that supports placenta previa, but rather a finding that suggests ectopic pregnancy, which is a condition where the fertilized ovum implants outside the uterine cavity, usually in the fallopian tube. Abdominal pain is caused by the rupture of the tube and the bleeding into the peritoneal cavity, which can irritate the diaphragm and the abdominal wall. Scant red vaginal bleeding is a sign of implantation bleeding, which can occur when the fertilized ovum attaches to the tube wall.

The correct answer is B. No special treatment is necessary.

Choice A reason: Prone positioning is not typically recommended for a fractured clavicle in infants. It does not facilitate bone alignment in the case of clavicle fractures and is not part of standard care.

Choice B reason: This is the correct choice because clavicle fractures in newborns generally heal on their own without the need for special treatment. Parents may be instructed to pin the child’s sleeve to the front of their clothing to avoid moving the arm while it heals, but beyond gentle handling, no other special treatment is necessary. In most cases, clavicle fractures in newborns heal very quickly without any problems, and usually, no treatment is required.

Choice C reason: Immobilization and casting are not standard care for newborn clavicle fractures. These fractures typically heal without such interventions, and immobilization with a cast is not needed for these types of injuries in infants.

Choice D reason: While range-of-motion exercises might be beneficial later in the healing process, they are not the primary consideration immediately after the fracture occurs. The initial care plan focuses on gentle handling and comfort for the infant, not on exercises.