During a physical assessment of a newborn, the nurse observes bluish markings across the newborn's lower back. The nurse interprets this finding as:
Select one:
Milia.
Dermal melanosis.
Stork bites.
Birth trauma.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason: Milia. This is an incorrect answer that describes a different skin condition. Milia are tiny white or yellow cysts that appear on the nose, chin, or cheeks of newborns. They are caused by the retention of keratin in the sebaceous glands or hair follicles. They usually disappear within a few weeks without treatment.
Choice B Reason: Dermal melanosis. This is a correct answer that explains the finding of bluish markings across the newborn's lower back. Dermal melanosis. This is because dermal melanosis, also known as Mongolian spots, is a common benign skin condition that affects newborns of Asian, African, or Hispanic descent. It is characterized by bluish-gray or brown patches of pigmentation on the lower back, butocks, or extremities. It is caused by the migration of melanocytes from the neural crest to the dermis during embryonic development. It usually fades by 2 to 4 years of age.
Choice C Reason: Stork bites. This is an incorrect answer that refers to another skin condition. Stork bites, also known as salmon patches or nevus simplex, are flat pink or red marks that appear on the forehead, eyelids, nose, upper lip, or nape of the neck of newborns. They are caused by dilated capillaries in the superficial dermis. They usually fade by 18 months of age.
Choice D Reason: Birth trauma. This is an incorrect answer that implies an injury or damage to the newborn's skin or tissues during labor and delivery. Birth trauma can cause bruises, abrasions, lacerations, fractures, or nerve injuries. It is not related to bluish markings on the lower back.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Inspecting the placenta after delivery for intactness. This is because inspecting the placenta after delivery for intactness is a nursing intervention that can prevent late postpartum hemorrhage, which is excessive bleeding from the uterus or genital tract that occurs more than 24 hours but less than 12 weeks after delivery. Late postpartum hemorrhage can be caused by retained placental fragments, subinvolution of the uterus, infection, or coagulation disorders. Inspecting the placenta after delivery for intactness can help identify and remove any retained placental fragments that may interfere with uterine contraction and involution, which are essential for hemostasis.
Choice B Reason: Manually removing the placenta at delivery. This is an incorrect answer that indicates an inappropriate and risky intervention that can cause late postpartum hemorrhage. Manually removing the placenta at delivery is a procedure that involves inserting a hand into the uterus and detaching the placenta from the uterine wall. Manually removing the placenta at delivery is indicated only for a retained or adherent placenta that does not separate spontaneously or with gentle traction within 30 minutes after delivery. Manually removing the placenta at delivery can cause trauma, infection, or incomplete removal of the placenta, which can increase the risk of late postpartum hemorrhage.
Choice C Reason: Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics prophylactically. This is an incorrect answer that suggests an unnecessary and ineffective intervention that can prevent late postpartum hemorrhage. Administering broad- spectrum antibiotics prophylactically is a pharmacological intervention that involves giving antibiotics to prevent or treat infection. Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics prophylactically is indicated for women with risk factors or signs of infection during or after delivery, such as prolonged rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, fever, or foul- smelling lochia. Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics prophylactically may reduce the risk of infection-related late postpartum hemorrhage, but it does not address other causes of late postpartum hemorrhage such as retained placental fragments or subinvolution of the uterus.
Choice D Reason: Applying traction on the umbilical cord to speed up separation of the placenta. This is an incorrect answer that refers to a different intervention that can prevent early postpartum hemorrhage, not late postpartum hemorrhage. Applying traction on the umbilical cord to speed up separation of the placenta is a technique that involves pulling on the umbilical cord while applying counter pressure on the uterus to facilitate placental expulsion. Applying traction on the umbilical cord to speed up separation of the placenta is indicated for active management of the third stage of labor, which can prevent early postpartum hemorrhage, which is excessive bleeding from the uterus or genital tract that occurs within 24 hours after delivery. Early postpartum hemorrhage can be caused by uterine atony, retained placenta, lacerations, or coagulation disorders.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Physiologic anemia due to maternal increased plasma volume. This is an incorrect answer that refers to a different condition that affects hemoglobin levels, not blood pressure. Physiologic anemia is a condition where the maternal plasma volume increases more than the red blood cell mass during pregnancy, which dilutes the hemoglobin concentration and lowers the hematocrit value. Physiologic anemia does not cause significant symptoms or complications in pregnant women, as it is an adaptive mechanism that enhances oxygen delivery and prevents fluid overload.
Choice B Reason: Pressure of the gravid uterus on the maternal inferior vena cava and aorta. This is because this statement explains the cause of supine hypotensive syndrome, which is a condition where lying flat on the back causes compression of the major blood vessels by the gravid uterus, which reduces venous return and cardiac output, which lowers blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs. Supine hypotensive syndrome can cause symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, pallor, or syncope in pregnant women, especially in the third trimester.
Choice C Reason: Pressure of the presenting fetal part on the maternal diaphragm. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a different condition that affects respiratory function, not blood pressure. Pressure of the presenting fetal part on the maternal diaphragm is a result of cephalic engagement or lightening, which occurs when the fetal head descends into the pelvis and occupies more space in the abdominal cavity. Pressure of the presenting fetal part on the maternal diaphragm can cause symptoms such as dyspnea, heartburn, or rib pain in pregnant women.
Choice D Reason: A 50% increase in maternal blood volume during pregnancy. This is an incorrect answer that describes a normal physiological change that occurs during pregnancy, not a cause of supine hypotensive syndrome. A 50% increase in maternal blood volume during pregnancy is due to increased production of plasma and red blood cells, which helps meet the increased oxygen and nutrient demands of the fetus and placenta, and prepares the mother for blood loss during delivery. A 50% increase in maternal blood volume during pregnancy does not cause hypotension or dizziness in pregnant women.
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