A premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome receives artificial surfactant. How would the nurse explain surfactant therapy to the parents?
“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.”.
“Surfactant is used to reduce episodes of periodic apnea.”.
“Your baby needs this medication to fight a possible respiratory tract infection.”.
The Correct Answer is A
choice A. Surfactant improves the ability of your baby’s lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Surfactant is a substance that coats the inner surface of the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
It reduces the surface tension of the alveoli and prevents them from collapsing during exhalation.
Premature infants often lack enough surfactant, which leads to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Artificial surfactant is given to these infants to help them breathe more easily. Choice B is wrong because surfactant has nothing to do with sedation.
Sedation is a state of reduced consciousness induced by drugs. Surfactant does not affect the level of consciousness of the infant.
Choice C is wrong because surfactant is not used to reduce episodes of periodic apnea.
Periodic apnea is a condition where the infant stops breathing for a short time, usually due to immature brainstem function.
Surfactant does not affect the brainstem or the control of breathing.
Choice D is wrong because surfactant is not used to fight a possible respiratory tract infection. Surfactant does not have any antibacterial or antiviral properties.
Surfactant is used to treat RDS, which is caused by a lack of surfactant, not by an infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Swimming is one of the best sports for people with hemophilia because it strengthens the muscles without putting stress on the joints. Swimming is also recommended by most sports physicians and hematologists for patients with hemophilia.
Choice A is wrong because soccer is a contact sport that can cause injuries and bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia. Soccer is not recommended by most sports physicians or hematologists for patients with hemophilia.
Choice C is wrong because basketball is also a contact sport that can lead to injuries and bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia. Basketball may be safe for young children, but the risk increases with the intensity of the game.
Choice D is wrong because football is a collision sport that can cause severe injuries and bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia. Football is not recommended by most sports physicians or hematologists for patients with hemophilia.
Normal ranges for hemophilia are:
- Mild hemophilia: 5% to 40% of normal clotting factor
- Moderate hemophilia: 1% to 5% of normal clotting factor
Severe hemophilia: less than 1% of normal clotting factor
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This test measures the amount of chloride in the sweat, which is abnormally high in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is an inherited disorder that affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices.
Choice A is wrong because bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to examine the airways and lungs, but it is not essential for diagnosing CF.
Choice B is wrong because serum calcium is a blood test that measures the level of calcium in the blood, which is not related to CF.
Choice C is wrong because urine creatinine is a test that measures the amount of creatinine in the urine, which reflects the kidney function, but it is not relevant to CF.
Normal ranges for sweat chloride test are:
- Less than 40 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) for children and adults
- Less than 30 mmol/L for infants younger than 6 months
A sweat chloride level of more than 60 mmol/L is considered positive for CF.
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