A premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) receives artificial surfactant. How does the nurse explain surfactant therapy to the parents?

"Your baby needs this medication to fight a possible respiratory tract infection."

"Surfactant is used to reduce episodes of periodic apnea."

"Surfactant improves the ability of your baby's lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide."

"The drug keeps your baby from requiring too much sedation."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: This statement is incorrect, as surfactant is not an antibiotic and does not treat infections. Surfactant is a substance that is naturally produced by the lungs to reduce the surface tension and prevent the alveoli from collapsing. Premature infants may have insufficient surfactant, which can cause RDS.

Choice B reason: This statement is partially true, as surfactant can help reduce episodes of periodic apnea, which is a condition where the newborn stops breathing for more than 20 seconds. However, this is not the main purpose of surfactant therapy, and other interventions, such as oxygen, ventilation, and caffeine, may be needed to treat apnea.

Choice C reason: This statement is correct, as surfactant improves the ability of the baby's lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, which are essential for life. Surfactant therapy can improve the lung function, reduce the need for mechanical ventilation, and prevent complications, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hemorrhage.

Choice D reason: This statement is false, as surfactant does not affect the level of sedation in the newborn. Surfactant is administered through an endotracheal tube, which may require sedation to reduce discomfort and agitation. The nurse should monitor the newborn's vital signs, oxygen saturation, and pain level during and after the procedure.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Uterine enlargement greater than expected for gestational age is not a typical manifestation of ectopic pregnancy, because the embryo is implanted outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. The uterus may be slightly enlarged due to hormonal changes, but not more than expected for the gestational age.

Choice B reason: Unilateral, cramp-like abdominal pain is a common manifestation of ectopic pregnancy, because the embryo grows and stretches the fallopian tube, causing inflammation and irritation. The pain may be mild or severe, depending on the size and location of the ectopic pregnancy, and may radiate to the shoulder or back.

Choice C reason: Severe nausea and vomiting is not a specific manifestation of ectopic pregnancy, because it can be caused by other conditions, such as hyperemesis gravidarum, gastroenteritis, or appendicitis. The client may have mild nausea and vomiting due to hormonal changes, but not more than usual for the gestational age.

Choice D reason: Large amount of vaginal bleeding is not a usual manifestation of ectopic pregnancy, because the bleeding is usually internal, into the abdominal cavity. The client may have spotting or light bleeding due to the detachment of the endometrium, but not heavy or profuse bleeding.

A. Physiological jaundice B. Maternal cocaine abuse C. Maternal/newborn blood group incompatibility D. Absence of vitamin K

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Physiological jaundice is not the correct answer, as it is a normal and benign condition that occurs in about 60% of term newborns, and usually appears after the first 24 hours of life. Physiological jaundice is caused by the breakdown of fetal hemoglobin and the immature liver function, and resolves within a few days.

Choice B reason: Maternal cocaine abuse is not the correct answer, as it is a maternal risk factor that can cause various complications in the newborn, such as low birth weight, prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, or congenital anomalies. Maternal cocaine abuse does not cause jaundice in the newborn, unless it leads to hepatic or renal dysfunction.

Choice C reason: Maternal/newborn blood group incompatibility is the correct answer, as it is a maternal-fetal condition that can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn, which is a severe form of jaundice that can appear within the first 24 hours of life. Maternal/newborn blood group incompatibility occurs when the mother's blood type is Rh negative and the newborn's blood type is Rh positive, or when the mother's blood type is O and the newborn's blood type is A or B. The maternal antibodies cross the placenta and attack the newborn's red blood cells, causing hemolysis, anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia.

Choice D reason: Absence of vitamin K is not the correct answer, as it is a nutritional deficiency that can cause hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, which is a bleeding disorder that can occur within the first week of life. Absence of vitamin K is due to the lack of intestinal flora and the low vitamin K content in breast milk, and can cause bleeding in the skin, mucous membranes, or internal organs. Absence of vitamin K does not cause jaundice in the newborn, unless it leads to hepatic or biliary dysfunction.

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A premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) receives artificial surfactant. How does the nurse explain surfactant therapy to the parents?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has a suspected ectopic pregnancy at 8 weeks of gestation. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to identify as consistent with the diagnosis?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is admitting a term newborn following a cesarean birth. The nurse observes that the newborn's skin is slightly yellow right after birth. This finding indicates the newborn is experiencing a complication related to which of the following?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse in the antepartum unit is caring for a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and has pregnancy-induced hypertension. Suddenly, the client reports continuous abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. The nurse should suspect which of the following complications?

A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who is 3 weeks postpartum following the birth of a healthy newborn. The client reports feeling very sad, having no energy, and wanting to cry. Which of the following is a priority action by the nurse?

A premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) receives artificial surfactant. How does the nurse explain surfactant therapy to the parents?

A nurse is caring for a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and who has a suspected placenta previa. Which of the following findings support this diagnosis?

Which client is at greatest risk for early postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)?

A nurse is caring for a client who experienced a cesarean birth due to dysfunctional labor. The client states that she is disappointed that she did not have natural childbirth. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A nurse is caring for a term macrosomic newborn whose mother has poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. The newborn has respiratory distress syndrome. The nurse should be aware that the most likely cause of the respiratory distress is which of the following?