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
The child should receive his regular dose of insulin even if he does not have an appetite. If the child is not eating as usual, he needs calories to prevent hypoglycemia. During periods of minor illness, the child with type 1 diabetes mellitus can be managed safely at home.
Choice A is wrong because giving the child half his regular morning dose of insulin can lead to hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis.
Choice C is wrong because giving the child plenty of unsweetened, clear liquids to prevent dehydration can also cause hypoglycemia.
Choice D is wrong because taking the child directly to the emergency department is not necessary unless the child has signs of severe dehydration, vomiting, abdominal
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Drying the baby after birth and wrapping the baby in a dry blanket
This prevents evaporative heat loss, which occurs when water on the skin surface evaporates and cools the skin. Evaporative heat loss is especially significant in newborns because they are wet at birth and have a large surface area relative to their body mass.
Choice B is wrong because it addresses convective heat loss, which occurs when air currents blow over the skin and carry away heat.
Convective heat loss can be prevented by keeping the baby out of drafts and away from air conditioners.
Choice C is wrong because it addresses radiant heat loss, which occurs when heat radiates from the skin to cooler objects in the environment.
Radiant heat loss can be prevented by placing the baby away from the outside wall and the windows.
Choice D is wrong because it addresses conductive heat loss, which occurs when heat transfers from the skin to cooler objects in contact with the skin.
Conductive heat loss can be prevented by warming the stethoscope and the nurse’s hands before touching the baby.
Normal body temperature for a newborn is 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F).
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