Deck 25: The Normal Newborn: Needs, Care, and Feeding

Question 1

Which actions must a nurse perform before weighing the newborn during the admission procedure? Select all that apply.
1. Zero the scale.
2. Clean the scale.
3. Cover the scale.
4. Take the infant's temperature.
5. Wrap the infant tightly in a blanket to prevent heat loss.

Answer 1

1, 2, 3

Question 2

The nurse is not familiar with the cultural background of new parents who have recently immigrated to the United States. What statement is best?
1) "You appear to be Muslim. Do you want your son to be circumcised?"
2) "Let me explain how newborn care takes place here in the United States."
3) "Your baby is a U.S. citizen. You must be very happy about that."
4) "Could you explain what your preferences are regarding child care?"

Answer 2

4

Question 3

The nurse receives shift change reports on infants born within the last 4 hours. Which newborn should the nurse see first?
1) Term male, grunting respirations
2) 37-week male, respiratory rate 45
3) 8 lb, 1 oz female, pulse 150
4) 39-week female, temperature 97°F

Answer 3

1

Question 4

The elderly grandmother of a newborn tells the client that rubbing alcohol should be applied to the cord stump to make it dry and fall off faster. What should the nurse instruct the client about cord care? Select all that apply.
1) Keep the umbilical cord stump clean.
2) Allow the umbilical cord stump to air dry.
3) Fold the diaper down under the cord stump.
4) Notify the healthcare provider if the cord stump appears dark in color.
5) Apply topical antibiotic ointment to the cord stump after each diaper change.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a newborn with the following device: What should be included when instructing the parents about the newborn's care? Select all that apply.
1) The device should fall off in 8 days.
2) Apply petroleum jelly to the site after the device falls off.
3) Clean with warm water and mild soap after each diaper change.
4) Apply light pressure with a sterile gauze pad if bleeding occurs.
5) Abstain from applying cream or ointment while the device is present.

Question 6

A new adolescent mother is concerned about being able to properly care for the newborn at home because her mother thinks she is too young. What should the nurse say to this client?
1) "You are very young, and parenting will be a challenge for you."
2) "Your mother was probably right. Be very careful with your baby."
3) "Mothers have instincts that kick in when they get their babies home."
4) "We can give the baby's bath together. I'll help you learn how to do it."

Question 7

The nurse is teaching a class for new parents. Which statement indicates that additional information is needed?
1) "Car seats are installed the same way in different models of cars. Our friends can show us how to install it."
2) "Genitals of babies look swollen and enlarged at birth as a result of the hormones in the mother's circulation."
3) "We can call the nurse help line any time of day or night if we have questions about our baby after we get home."
4) "Baby girls sometimes have a little bloody mucus in their diapers as a reaction to the high estrogen level in the mother."

Question 8

The nurse is assisting a new mother to breastfeed. In which order should the nurse review the steps with the mother?
1) Bring the newborn to the breast.
2) The newborn opens mouth wide.
3) Tickle the newborn's lips with the nipple.
4) Have the newborn face the mother tummy-to-tummy.
5) Position the newborn so the newborn's nose is at level of the nipple.

Question 9

A change in skin color requires further assessment of which physiologic functions? Select all that apply.
1) Hematocrit
2) Oxygenation
3) Glucose levels
4) Blood pressure
5) Bilirubin levels

Question 10

The nurse is assisting a mother to bottle-feed her newborn, who has been crying. What should the nurse instruct the client to do before feeding the infant?
1) Offer a pacifier.
2) Burp the newborn.
3) Unwrap the newborn.
4) Stroke the newborn's spine and feet.

Question 11

The nurse is discussing parent-infant attachment with a prenatal class. Which statement indicates that teaching was successful?
1) "Giving the baby his first bath can really give me a chance to get to know him."
2) "Newborns cannot focus their eyes, so it does not matter how I hold my new baby."
3) "My baby will be very sleepy immediately after birth, so he can go to the nursery."
4) "I should avoid looking directly into the baby's eyes to prevent frightening the baby."

Question 12

A pregnant client has not decided on a feeding method for her infant and asks for more information about breastfeeding and formula-feeding. Which client statement indicates that the teaching was successful?
1) "Breastfeeding is more expensive than formula-feeding."
2) "My baby has a lower risk of food allergies if I breastfeed."
3) "Formula-feeding gives the baby protection from infections."
4) "Breast milk cannot be stored; it has to be thrown away after pumping."

Question 13

The nurse assesses a sleeping 1-hour-old, 39-weeks' gestation newborn. Which data should cause the nurse the most concern?
1) Respirations 68/min
2) Blood pressure 72/44 mmHg
3) Skin temperature
97)6°F
4) Heart rate 156 beats/min

Question 14

A client who delivered a day ago has chosen to breastfeed her infant. Which observation best indicates that the client understands breastfeeding?
1) The infant is crying when brought to the breast.
2) The client takes off her gown to achieve skin-to-skin contact.
3) The infant is held so that the nipple is accessed by turning the head.
4) The client puts the infant to breast when the baby is asleep to help wake the baby up.

Question 15

The nurse is assessing a 2-day-old male infant that has been circumcised. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
1) The umbilical cord clamp has been removed.
2) The mother is ready to breastfeed on demand.
3) The infant maintains temperature when wrapped in a blanket.
4) The infant has had a dry diaper since the circumcision procedure.

Question 16

The parents of a newborn are concerned that their baby continues to lose weight despite being held and cuddled. What should the nurse tell these parents? Select all that apply.
1) Excessive handling increases caloric use.
2) Permit the newborn to rest quietly when eyelids flutter.
3) Constant handling increases metabolic rate.
4) Gently flick the sole of the foot to stimulate.
5) Avoid stimulating when eye contact is absent.

Question 17

Which statement by a breastfeeding class participant indicates that teaching was effective? Select all that apply.
1) "Breastfeeding is worthwhile, even if it costs more overall."
2) "Breastfed infants get more skin-to-skin contact and sleep better."
3) "Breastfed infants have fewer digestive and respiratory illnesses."
4) "Breastfeeding raises the level of a hormone that makes me feel good."
5) "Breastfeeding is complex and difficult, and I probably will not succeed."

Question 18

Which information is least likely recorded as a part of the initial newborn assessment?
1) Presence or absence of meconium-stained fluid
2) Blood draw for phenylketonuria (PKU) screening
3) Resuscitative measures required in the birthing area
4) Parents' desires regarding circumcision for a male infant

Question 19

The mother of a newborn with iron deficiency anemia asks if breastfeeding or using a formula high in iron is better for the baby. How should the nurse respond?
1) Breastfeeding, because breast milk has higher levels of iron compared to formula
2) Formula-feeding, because formula has higher levels of iron compared to breast milk
3) Breastfeeding, because although breast milk has lower levels of iron compared to formula, it is more easily absorbed by the infant
4) Formula-feeding, because although formula has lower levels of iron compared to breast milk, it is more easily absorbed by the infant

Question 20

An infant weighing 8 lb, 4 oz at birth weighs 7 lb, 15 oz 3 days later. What should the nurse explain to the parents about this change in the newborn's weight?
1) "This weight loss is unusual."
2) "This weight loss is less than expected."
3) "This weight loss is excessive."
4) "This weight loss is within normal limits."

Question 21

The nurse is preparing to inject a dose of vitamin K to a newborn after delivery. Identify on the diagram where the nurse should provide this injection.

Question 22

During a postpartum home visit the nurse reinforces the importance of holding the infant and having tummy time periodically through the day with the new mother. What did the nurse observe that indicated the mother needed additional teaching? Select all that apply.
1) Rapid respiratory rate
2) Weak gross motor skills
3) Crusted nasal secretions
4) Positional plagiocephaly
5) Sluggish upper body strength