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 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.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
“You may need to increase the caloric density of your infant’s formula.” This is because infants with heart failure have increased metabolic needs and may not be able to consume enough volume to meet their nutritional requirements. Increasing the caloric density of the formula can help them achieve adequate growth and development without overloading their heart.
Choice B is wrong because feeding the baby every 2 hours may cause fatigue and dehydration. Infants with heart failure should be fed every 3 to 4 hours or on demand.
Choice C is wrong because increasing the amount of formula may cause fluid retention and worsen heart failure. Infants with heart failure should be fed small, frequent amounts of formula.
Choice D is wrong because placing a nasal oxygen cannula on the infant during and after each feeding may not be necessary or beneficial. Oxygen therapy should be prescribed by a physician based on the infant’s oxygen saturation levels and clinical signs of hypoxia.
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