The nurse's initial action when caring for an otherwise stable, full term infant with a slightly decreased temperature is to:
Select one:
Place the infant skin to skin with the mother and re-check temperature in 30 minutes.
Check the infant's CBC and blood cultures, as this is a sign of probable sepsis.
Return the infant to the nursery for close observation under warming lights.
Notify the physician immediately and suggest orders for placement in an incubator.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason: Place the infant skin to skin with the mother and re-check temperature in 30 minutes. This is because skin-to-skin contact is an effective and safe method of increasing the infant's temperature and promoting thermoregulation. Skin-to-skin contact also has other benefits such as enhancing bonding, breastfeeding, and maternal-infant attachment.
Choice B Reason: Check the infant's CBC and blood cultures, as this is a sign of probable sepsis. This is an unnecessary action that may cause undue stress and discomfort to the infant and the mother. A slightly decreased temperature in a full-term infant is not a sign of probable sepsis, but rather a common finding that may be due to environmental factors, such as exposure to cold air or wet linens.
Choice C Reason: Return the infant to the nursery for close observation under warming lights. This is an undesirable action that may interfere with the early initiation of breastfeeding and bonding between the mother and the infant. Warming lights are not recommended for routine use in healthy newborns, as they may cause dehydration, hyperthermia, or eye damage.
Choice D Reason: Notify the physician immediately and suggest orders for placement in an incubator. This is an excessive action that may indicate a lack of knowledge or confidence on the part of the nurse. An incubator is not indicated for a stable, full term infant with a slightly decreased temperature, as it may expose the infant to unnecessary interventions, infections, or separation from the mother.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Insulin needs decrease in the first trimester, but increase in the second trimester as the woman's body becomes more insulin-resistant. This is because this statement describes the typical patern of insulin requirements during pregnancy for women with pre-existing diabetes. Insulin needs decrease in the first trimester due to increased insulin production by the pancreas, increased insulin sensitivity by the tissues, and increased risk of hypoglycemia due to nausea and vomiting. Insulin needs increase in the second trimester due to increased levels of placental hormones such as human placental lactogen (hPL), which antagonize insulin action and cause insulin resistance.
Choice B Reason: Vascular disease that always accompanies diabetes slows fetal growth. This is an incorrect answer that makes a false and exaggerated claim about diabetes and fetal growth. Vascular disease does not always accompany diabetes, but it can be a complication of long-term or poorly controlled diabetes that affects blood vessels and circulation. Vascular disease can affect fetal growth by reducing placental perfusion and oxygen delivery, but it is not the only factor that influences fetal growth. Other factors include maternal nutrition, genetics, infections, or anomalies.
Choice C Reason: The risk of ketoacidosis decreases during the length of the pregnancy. This is an incorrect answer that contradicts the evidence and guidelines on diabetes and ketoacidosis during pregnancy. Ketoacidosis is a metabolic emergency where high levels of ketones accumulate in the blood due to insufficient insulin or excessive glucose utilization, which causes acidosis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and coma. Ketoacidosis can occur in women with diabetes during pregnancy due to infection, stress, starvation, or inadequate insulin therapy. The risk of ketoacidosis does not decrease during the length of the pregnancy, but rather increases in the second and third trimesters due to increased insulin resistance and glucose production.
Choice D Reason: The baby is likely to have a congenital abnormality because of the uncontrolled diabetes. This is an incorrect answer that implies a negative and deterministic outcome for the baby. Congenital abnormalities are structural or functional defects that are present at birth, which can affect various organs or systems in the baby.
Congenital abnormalities can be caused by genetic or environmental factors, or a combination of both. Diabetes can increase the risk of congenital abnormalities, especially if the blood glucose levels are high during the first trimester, when organogenesis occurs. However, the risk of congenital abnormalities is not inevitable or predictable, and it can be reduced by maintaining good glycemic control before and during pregnancy.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason: "If I try to talk to my partner during a contraction, I can't." This is an incorrect answer that indicates a sign of true labor, not false labor. True labor is a condition where there are regular and painful uterine contractions that cause cervical dilation and effacement, and lead to delivery of the baby and placenta. True labor contractions are usually strong and consistent, and they tend to increase or persist with activity or position changes. True labor contractions can be so intense that they interfere with speech or breathing.
Choice B Reason: ) "My contractions slow down when I walk around." This is because this statement by the client would lead the nurse to suspect that the woman is experiencing false labor, which is also known as Braxton Hicks contractions or practice contractions. False labor is a condition where there are irregular and painless uterine contractions that do not cause cervical dilation or effacement. False labor can occur throughout pregnancy, but it becomes more noticeable and frequent in late pregnancy. False labor contractions are usually weak and inconsistent, and they tend to decrease or stop with activity or position changes.
Choice C Reason: "I feel contractions start mostly in my back and they sweep around to the top of my abdomen." This is an incorrect answer that indicates a sign of true labor, not false labor. True labor contractions usually start in the lower back and radiate to the lower abdomen or groin, following a wave-like patern. False labor contractions are more likely to be felt in the upper abdomen or sides, without a clear patern.
Choice D Reason: "My contractions are about 6 minutes apart and regular." This is an incorrect answer that indicates a sign of true labor, not false labor. True labor contractions usually have a regular frequency and duration, and they become closer and longer as labor progresses. False labor contractions are more likely to have an irregular frequency and duration, and they do not change significantly over time.
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