Premature infants who exhibit 5 to 10 seconds of respiratory pauses followed by 10 to 15 seconds of compensatory rapid respiration are:.
Suffering from sleep or wakeful apnea.
Experiencing severe swings in blood pressure.
Trying to maintain a neutral thermal environment.
Breathing in a respiratory pattern common to premature infants.
The Correct Answer is D
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%.
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 C
Explanation
Placing eye shields over the newborn’s closed eyes. This is because phototherapy can cause eye damage and irritation to the newborn, so eye protection is essential.
Choice A is wrong because oil-based lotion can increase the absorption of heat and cause burns to the newborn’s skin.
Choice B is wrong because limiting the newborn’s intake of milk can cause dehydration and increase the risk of hyperbilirubinemia.
Choice D is wrong because changing the newborn’s position every 4 hours is not frequent enough to prevent pressure ulcers and ensure even exposure to the light.
Normal ranges for bilirubin levels in newborns are 1 to 12 mg/dL for term infants and 3 to 14 mg/dL for preterm infants. Phototherapy is usually indicated when the bilirubin level exceeds 15 mg/dL for term infants and 10 mg/dL for preterm infants.
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