Question 1

Antibiotics have been ordered for a newborn with an infection. Which interventions would the nurse prepare to implement?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should prepare to obtain skin cultures to identify the infection, evaluate bilirubin levels as infections can cause jaundice, administer oxygen if needed for respiratory support, and observe for signs of hypoglycemia as infections can affect glucose levels. Restricting parental visits is not a standard intervention for newborn infections.

Question 2

The special care nursery nurse is working with parents of a 3-day-old infant who was born with myelomeningocele and has developed an infection. Which statement from the mother is unexpected?

Accepted Answer

It is unexpected for the mother to report that she has been sleeping very well since giving birth, as most new parents experience sleep deprivation. The other statements may be more expected, as the mother may feel guilt or blame herself, or may be searching for a cause of her baby's condition or infection.

Question 3

The parents of a preterm newborn wish to visit their baby in the NICU. A statement by the nurse that would not support the parents as they visit their newborn is:

Accepted Answer

Scheduling visits between feedings may limit the amount of time the parents have to spend with their newborn and prevent them from being able to visit when they want to. The other statements support the parents' visitation and encourage positive interaction with the newborn.

Question 4

Which nursing interventions are appropriate when caring for the newborn undergoing phototherapy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which nursing interventions are appropriate when caring...

Question 5

The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of phototherapy on a newborn. Which evaluation indicates a therapeutic response to phototherapy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of...

Question 6

One day after giving birth vaginally, a patient develops painful vesicular lesions on her perineum and vulva. She is diagnosed with a primary herpes simplex 2 infection. The expected care for her neonate includes:

Accepted Answer

In cases where a mother has a primary herpes simplex 2 infection, the neonate is at risk for developing severe disease if infected. The recommended care for the neonate includes intravenous acyclovir and contact precautions to prevent transmission of the virus. Antibiotic eye ointment is not effective against herpes simplex virus, and cultures of blood and CSF and serial chest x-rays are not indicated unless there are signs of disseminated infection. Parental rooming-in and penicillin injections are not relevant to the treatment of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection.

Question 7

The nurse caring for a newborn with anemia would expect which initial laboratory data to be included in the initial assessment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse caring for a newborn with...

Question 8

The nurse will be bringing the parents of a neonate with sepsis to the neonatal intensive care nursery for the first time. Which statement is best?

Accepted Answer

This statement gives factual information about the baby's condition and treatments, while also preparing the parents for what they will see when they enter the nursery. It is important for the parents to have an understanding of their baby's condition and treatment plan, as well as what to expect when they see their baby for the first time. Additionally, using neutral language avoids increasing the parents' anxiety or distress.

Question 9

The nurse assesses that a newborn's skin has a ruddy appearance and the peripheral pulses are decreased. The nurse suspects polycythemia. Which lab report might indicate that the newborn has polycythemia?

Accepted Answer

Polycythemia is characterized by an elevated hematocrit level, which is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. A central venous hematocrit level greater than 65% is indicative of polycythemia. Bilirubin level and glucose level are not related to polycythemia. A venous hemoglobin level lower than 12 g/dl is actually indicative of anemia, which is the opposite of polycythemia.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a 41-weeks'-gestation infant born yesterday. The newborn's hematocrit is 75%. The best action by the nurse based on this finding is to:

Accepted Answer

A hematocrit level of 75% is significantly higher than the normal range for a newborn, which typically falls between 42% and 65%. This condition, known as polycythemia, can lead to various complications and requires medical evaluation and intervention. Reporting the elevated hematocrit level to the physician is the appropriate action to ensure that the newborn receives the necessary care and treatment.

Question 11

Which findings would the nurse expect when assessing a newborn infected with syphilis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which findings would the nurse expect when...

Question 12

The nurse is planning care for four infants who were born on this shift. The infant who will require the most detailed assessment is the one whose mother:

Accepted Answer

Infants born to mothers with chlamydia are at risk for infection themselves, so they require detailed assessment and monitoring. The other options may require attention, but they do not necessarily indicate a higher risk for the infant.

Quiz 34: The Newborn at Risk: Birth-Related Stressors