The nurse administers vitamin K to the newborn for what reason?

Bacteria that synthesize vitamin K are not present in the newborn's intestinal tract.

Vitamin K prevents the synthesis of prothrombin in the liver and must be given by injection.

The supply of vitamin K is inadequate for at least 12 months, and the newborn musti supplemented throughout infancy.

Most mothers have a diet deficient in vitamin K, which results in the infant being deficient.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A) Bacteria that synthesize vitamin K are not present in the newborn's intestinal tract:
Newborns are born with a sterile gastrointestinal tract, meaning they do not yet have the intestinal bacteria necessary to synthesize vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for the activation of clotting factors, and without sufficient vitamin K, newborns are at risk for bleeding disorders, particularly a condition known as vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). Administering vitamin K by injection shortly after birth ensures the baby has adequate levels to prevent bleeding.
B) Vitamin K prevents the synthesis of prothrombin in the liver and must be given by injection:
This statement is incorrect. Vitamin K does not prevent the synthesis of prothrombin; rather, it is essential for the liver to synthesize clotting factors, including prothrombin. The injection of vitamin K in newborns is necessary to provide adequate levels of vitamin K to support proper blood clotting, as newborns cannot produce enough on their own at birth due to the absence of gut bacteria that normally produce it.

C) The supply of vitamin K is inadequate for at least 12 months, and the newborn must be supplemented throughout infancy:
While it is true that newborns have a limited supply of vitamin K at birth, this deficiency is typically addressed with a single injection given shortly after birth. Supplementing vitamin K throughout infancy is generally not required, as the infant's gastrointestinal tract will start to develop the necessary bacteria to synthesize vitamin K within the first few weeks to months of life. The first dose of vitamin K prevents bleeding disorders, and in most cases, additional supplementation is not necessary.

D) Most mothers have a diet deficient in vitamin K, which results in the infant being deficient:
While maternal diet does play a role in the newborn's initial vitamin K levels, it is not the primary reason for the deficiency. Vitamin K deficiency in newborns is primarily due to the lack of gut bacteria necessary to produce it, rather than maternal diet. The practice of administering vitamin K to all newborns ensures that they receive adequate levels to prevent bleeding, regardless of maternal dietary intake.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Caput succedaneum present:
Caput succedaneum refers to the swelling of the soft tissues on the newborn's head, typically caused by the pressure exerted during vaginal delivery. This condition is often seen after a prolonged labor or in cases of vacuum-assisted delivery. It presents as a soft, fluid-filled swelling that crosses the suture lines, which distinguishes it from a cephalhematoma (a collection of blood). This swelling is usually benign and resolves within a few days after birth without intervention.

B) Severe molding present:
Molding refers to the shaping of the newborn's skull bones as they overlap to pass through the birth canal during delivery. It typically presents as elongated or asymmetric head shapes, particularly in the vertex presentation. Severe molding would not involve swelling of the soft tissues and would not cross the suture lines. This term is typically used to describe changes in the shape of the skull bones rather than soft tissue swelling.

C) Cephalhematoma present:
A cephalhematoma is a collection of blood between the newborn's skull and the periosteum (the membrane covering the bones). Unlike caput succedaneum, a cephalhematoma does not cross the suture lines because the blood is confined to the area overlying the affected bone. Cephalhematomas are typically the result of trauma during delivery, such as forceps or vacuum extraction. The swelling in a cephalhematoma is firmer and does not appear as soft or fluid-filled as caput succedaneum.

D) Fontanels soft and flat:
The fontanels are the soft spots on the baby’s head where the skull bones have not yet fused. The anterior fontanel is usually the most prominent, and the posterior fontanel is much smaller. While fontanels should be soft and flat in the early stages, this option doesn't describe the swelling or soft tissue findings as described in the question. The soft, fluid-filled swelling over the head would be more indicative of caput succedaneum rather than a normal fontanel finding.

A. Prolactin B. Estrogen C. Progesterone D. Human placental lactogen E. Relaxin

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Prolactin:
Prolactin is the primary hormone responsible for stimulating milk production in the postpartum period. In breastfeeding mothers, prolactin levels remain elevated, especially during the first few weeks after delivery, to support lactation. This hormone is released in response to suckling and is essential for maintaining a steady milk supply. Elevated prolactin levels help establish and maintain breastfeeding during the early postpartum period, even as other pregnancy-related hormones begin to decline.

B) Estrogen:
Estrogen levels drop sharply after childbirth, as the placenta is no longer present to produce this hormone. The decline in estrogen is one of the factors that helps initiate lactation. While estrogen rises later during the postpartum period as the body returns to its non-pregnant state, it is not elevated during the immediate postpartum period in breastfeeding women.

C) Progesterone:
Similar to estrogen, progesterone levels fall quickly after delivery. Progesterone is involved in maintaining pregnancy, and its levels decrease significantly once the placenta is delivered. A reduction in progesterone is one of the hormonal changes that triggers the onset of lactation. It does not remain elevated in the immediate postpartum period.

D) Human placental lactogen (hPL):
hPL is produced by the placenta during pregnancy to support fetal growth and prepare the breasts for lactation. However, after delivery, hPL levels decline rapidly because the placenta is expelled. It is not elevated in the immediate postpartum period.

E) Relaxin:
Relaxin is a hormone that helps to soften the cervix and relax the ligaments in preparation for childbirth. Its levels are elevated during pregnancy and drop significantly after delivery. It does not remain elevated in the postpartum period, particularly in breastfeeding women.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse administers vitamin K to the newborn for what reason?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is assessing a one hour old newborn delivered vaginally after a 15 hour labor. Upon palpation of the head, the nurse notices swelling of the tissue over the presenting part of the infant's head, crossing the suture lines. How would the nurse document this finding?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

What hormone remains elevated in the immediate postpartum period in a breastfeeding patient?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Day 1 - 5 postpartum is significant in breastfeeding success due to what process?

A mother asks whether or not she should be concerned that her baby never opens his mouth to breathe when his nose is so small. Which of the following is the nurse's best response?

A new mother is breastfeeding and concerned that she has no milk for baby. One way you can show her that she does have milk or colostrum is by teaching her:

Which documentation on a woman's chart after postpartum day 14 indicates a normal involution process?

Rh, immune globulin will be ordered after birth if which situation occurs?

You come in to your patient and hear a cooing sound coming from the baby. The family says ‘’Oh listen to the cute noise the baby is making" You assess some more and realize that the coos are consistent with the babies respirations. You:

The laboratory results for a postpartum woman are as follows: blood type: A + rubella: non-immune hematocrit: 30% GBS: negative How would the nurse best interpret these data?