What is an effective relief measure for a laboring client experiencing back labor and complaining of intense pain in her lower back?

Choice A rationale:

Epicanthal folds: These are skin folds that cover the inner corners of the eyes. They are a common characteristic of Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome.

Heart murmur: A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, including Trisomy 21. Approximately half of babies with Down syndrome have a heart defect.

Low-set ears: This means that the ears are positioned lower on the head than usual. This is another common characteristic of Trisomy 21.

Poor muscle tone: This means that the muscles are weak and floppy. This is also a common characteristic of Trisomy 21.

Choice B rationale:

Cystic fibrosis: This is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system. It is not typically associated with the physical features observed in this newborn. Newborns with cystic fibrosis typically present with meconium ileus, failure to thrive, and recurrent respiratory infections.

Choice C rationale:

Tay-Sachs disease: This is a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. It is not typically associated with the physical features observed in this newborn. Infants with Tay-Sachs disease typically appear normal at birth, with symptoms developing around 6 months of age. These symptoms can include developmental delays, muscle weakness, seizures, and blindness.

Choice D rationale:

Marfan syndrome: This is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue. It is not typically associated with the physical features observed in this newborn. Individuals with Marfan syndrome typically have tall stature, long limbs, and hypermobile joints. They may also have eye problems, such as lens dislocation, and heart problems, such as aortic aneurysm.

Choice A rationale:

This response is incorrect because newborn screening tests do not determine blood type. Blood type is typically determined through a separate blood test, such as an ABO and Rh typing test.

While knowing a baby's blood type is important for medical reasons, it's not the primary purpose of newborn screening.

Focusing solely on blood type could mislead parents about the broader scope of conditions that newborn screening aims to identify.

Choice B rationale:

This response is incorrect because newborn screening tests are not diagnostic tests. They are screening tests, which means they identify babies who may be at risk for certain diseases, but they do not confirm whether or not a baby actually has a disease.

Diagnostic tests are typically more specific and are performed after a screening test has indicated a potential problem.

It's crucial to clarify the distinction between screening and diagnosis to avoid causing undue alarm or confusion for parents.

Choice C rationale:

This is the correct response. It accurately explains that newborn screening tests are routine procedures that are performed to detect babies who may be at risk for developing certain diseases.

The emphasis on "risk" is important because it highlights that a positive screening result does not necessarily mean that a baby has a disease, but rather that further testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

This response also avoids making assumptions about the parents' carrier status, which is a sensitive topic that should be addressed with care and discretion.

Choice D rationale:

This response is incorrect because it assumes that the parents are carriers for a disease, which may not be the case.

Even if the parents are carriers, newborn screening tests are not designed to specifically determine whether a disease has been passed down from parent to child.

Making such assumptions could create unnecessary anxiety or confusion for parents, and it's important to provide information that is accurate and relevant to their specific situation.