The nurse explains to the parents of a 2-day-old newborn that decreased life span of neonatal red blood cells has contributed to which complication?

The correct answer is: c. The lungs of a baby delivered by cesarean section may sound moist for 24 hours after birth.

Choice A reason:

If this baby was born vaginally, it could indicate a pneumothorax.

A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition can happen in newborns, especially those with underlying lung issues or those who have undergone mechanical ventilation However, moist lung sounds in a newborn are not typically indicative of a pneumothorax. Pneumothorax is more likely to present with symptoms such as rapid breathing, grunting, and cyanosis.

Choice B reason:

The neonate must have aspirated surfactant.

Surfactant aspiration is not a common cause of moist lung sounds. Surfactant is a substance that helps keep the lungs’ air sacs open and is crucial for proper lung function. Aspiration of surfactant is not a typical diagnosis and would not usually result in moist lung sounds. Instead, surfactant deficiency or dysfunction can lead to respiratory distress syndrome, which presents differently.

Choice C reason:

The lungs of a baby delivered by cesarean section may sound moist for 24 hours after birth.

Babies born via cesarean section often have moist lung sounds because they do not experience the compression of the chest that occurs during vaginal delivery, which helps expel fluid from the lungs. This retained fluid can cause moist lung sounds, which typically resolve within the first 24 hours after birth. This is a normal finding and does not usually indicate a serious problem.

Choice D reason:

The nurse should notify the pediatrician stat for this emergency situation.

While it is always important to monitor newborns closely, moist lung sounds alone in a baby born via cesarean section are not typically an emergency. This finding is usually due to retained fluid in the lungs, which is expected to clear within the first day of life. Immediate notification of the pediatrician is not necessary unless the baby shows other signs of respiratory distress or other concerning symptoms.

The correct answer is choice B. Prolactin.

Choice A reason:

Estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that plays a role in the development of the mammary glands and the ductal system during pregnancy. However, estrogen does not directly produce milk.

In fact, high levels of estrogen during pregnancy inhibit milk secretion by blocking prolactin. Therefore, estrogen is not the hormone necessary for milk production. • Choice B reason:

Prolactin. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for the production of breast milk. Prolactin is secreted by the pituitary gland in response to suckling or nipple stimulation. Prolactin levels rise during pregnancy and peak after delivery, when the sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone allows prolactin to take over and initiate lactation. Therefore, prolactin is the hormone necessary for milk production. • Choice C reason:

Progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that also contributes to the development of the mammary glands and the alveoli during pregnancy. However, like estrogen, progesterone does not directly produce milk. Progesterone also inhibits milk secretion by blocking prolactin during pregnancy. Therefore, progesterone is not the hormone necessary for milk production. •

Choice D reason:

Lactogen. Lactogen is not a hormone, but a general term for any substance that stimulates lactation. There are different types of lactogens, such as human placental lactogen (hPL), which is produced by the placenta during pregnancy and has some lactogenic effects on the mammary glands. However, hPL is not the main hormone responsible for milk production. That role belongs to prolactin. Therefore, lactogen is not the hormone necessary for milk production.