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 ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
These are all positive signs of pregnancy, which are definitive and can only be explained by the presence of a fetus.A positive sign of pregnancy is fetal movement palpated by the nurse-midwife.
Choice E is wrong because a positive hCG test is a probable sign of pregnancy, not a positive one.A probable sign of pregnancy is strongly suggestive of pregnancy but could have other causes.A positive hCG test could be caused by medications, tumors, or other conditions that affect the level of hCG in the blood or urine.
Some other probable signs of pregnancy are uterine enlargement, Hegar’s sign (softening of the lower uterine segment), Goodell’s sign (softening of the cervix), Chadwick’s sign (bluish discoloration of the cervix), ballottement (rebound of the fetus when tapped by the examiner’s finger), Braxton Hicks contractions (painless, irregular uterine contractions), and positive pregnancy test.
Some other positive signs of pregnancy are identification of fetal heartbeat, visualization of the fetus by ultrasound or x-ray, and verification of fetal movement by an experienced clinician.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Vernix caseosa is a cheese-like, whitish substance that fuses with the epidermis and serves as a protective coating for the newborn.
Some possible explanations for the other choices are:
- Choice B. Surfactant is a protein that lines the alveoli of the infant’s lungs and helps prevent them from collapsing.
- Choice C. Caput succedaneum is a swelling of the tissue over the presenting part of the fetal head caused by pressure during delivery.
- Choice D. Acrocyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the hands and feet due to reduced peripheral circulation.
Normal ranges for vernix caseosa are not applicable as it varies depending on the gestational age and skin maturity of the newborn. However, it is usually more abundant in preterm infants than in term or post-term infants.
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