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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This pattern is called periodic breathing and it is characterized by 5 to 10 seconds of respiratory pauses followed by 10 to 15 seconds of compensatory rapid respiration. It is a normal phenomenon that occurs primarily in premature infants of more than 24 hours of age. It is usually not of pathologic significance and does not require intervention.
Choice A is wrong because sleep or wakeful apnea is defined as a cessation of breathing for more than 20 seconds or less than 20 seconds with bradycardia or cyanosis.
Choice B is wrong because severe swings in blood pressure are not associated with periodic breathing, but rather with intraventricular hemorrhage or patent ductus arteriosus.
Choice C is wrong because trying to maintain a neutral thermal environment does not affect the respiratory pattern of premature infants.
Normal ranges for respiratory rate in premature infants are 40 to 60 breaths per minute. Normal ranges for oxygen saturation in premature infants are 88% to 92%.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Therapeutic management includes the administration of gamma globulin and aspirin. This is because Kawasaki disease causes inflammation in the walls of small to medium-sized blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body and can lead to complications such as coronary artery aneurysms. Gamma globulin is an intravenous immunoglobulin that can reduce the risk of these complications, and aspirin can help lower fever and inflammation.
Choice A is wrong because the child’s fever is usually not responsive to antibiotics within 48 hours. Kawasaki disease is not caused by a bacterial infection, so antibiotics are not effective.
Choice B is wrong because the principal area of involvement is not the joints. Kawasaki disease affects mainly the blood vessels, but it can also cause swelling in glands (lymph nodes) and mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose, eyes and throat. Joint pain or swelling may occur, but it is not the main feature of the disease.
Choice C is wrong because aspirin is not contraindicated. Aspirin is part of the standard treatment for Kawasaki disease, along with gamma globulin. However, aspirin should be used with caution and under medical supervision, as it can cause Reye’s syndrome in children with viral infections.
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