The nurse is preparing to administer the vitamin K injection to a newborn. Which action would be correct for this client?
Using a 21 gauge needle.
Injecting at a 45-degree angle.
Injecting 1cc of medication.
Injecting the medication into the vastus lateralis.
The Correct Answer is D
Injecting the medication into the vastus lateralis. This is because the vastus lateralis is a large muscle in the thigh that is suitable for intramuscular injections in newborns³. The vitamin K injection helps prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding, which is a rare but serious condition that can cause bleeding in the brain or other organs¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns receive a single intramuscular dose of 0.5 to 1 mg of vitamin K within one hour of birth².
Choice A is wrong because a 21 gauge needle is too large for a newborn's muscle. A 25 or 27 gauge needle is more appropriate.
Choice B is wrong because injecting at a 45-degree angle may not reach the muscle tissue. A 90-degree angle is more appropriate.
Choice C is wrong because injecting 1cc of medication is too much for a newborn's muscle. The recommended dose of vitamin K is 0.5 to 1 mg, which is equivalent to 0.05 to 0.1 mL.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This is because cephalhematoma is a collection of blood under the scalp that does not cross the suture line. It is caused by trauma to the head during delivery, such as from vacuum extraction or forceps. It usually appears within a few hours or days after birth and resolves within weeks or months.
Choice B is not correct because nevus flammeus is a type of birthmark that is also known as port-wine stain. It is a flat, red, or purple patch of skin that can appear anywhere on the body, but often on the face. It is caused by abnormal blood vessels in the skin and does not go away over time³.
Choice C is not correct because the molding is the temporary change in the shape of the head due to pressure during delivery. It does not cause swelling or bruising and usually resolves within a few days.
Choice D is not correct because caput succedaneum is a type of swelling that affects the scalp and crosses the suture line. It is caused by fluid accumulation under the scalp due to pressure during delivery. It usually appears at birth and goes away within a few days.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Leave the milia alone: it will disappear spontaneously. No treatment is needed. Milia are small, white cysts that form on the skin, usually on the face, nose, or cheeks of newborns. They are harmless and very common, affecting about half of all healthy infants. They are caused by dead skin cells trapped in pockets of the skin or mouth. They are not a type of acne and are not related to breastfeeding or formula feeding. They usually go away on their own within a few weeks or months without any intervention.
Choice A is incorrect because squeezing out the white material can damage the skin and cause infection or scarring.
Choice B is incorrect because contacting a pediatric dermatologist is unnecessary and expensive for a benign condition that resolves by itself.
Choice D is incorrect because washing the baby's face with a mild astringent can irritate the skin and make the milia worse.
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