Deck 58: Newborn Care

Question 1

An infant admitted to the newborn nursery has generalized swelling of the scalp.The nurse should recognize this condition as:

A)caput succedaneum,which generally requires no treatment
B)cephalhematoma,which will require aspiration of blood from the scalp
C)an early sign of hydrocephalus,which requires no treatment
D)an early sign of an intracranial hemorrhage

Answer 1

caput succedaneum,which generally requires no treatment

Question 2

A newborn admitted to the nursery has these vital signs: rectal temperature,99.2 degrees Fahrenheit;pulse,130;respirations,45.The nurse should recognize that this baby's vital signs indicate:

A)a temperature elevation that should be investigated for possible sepsis
B)essentially normal vital signs for a newborn
C)tachycardia,which should be reported to the health care provider
D)tachypnea,which should be monitored for possible oxygen administration

Answer 2

essentially normal vital signs for a newborn

Question 3

Which of these tests is often done before birth to determine the maturity of the fetal lungs?

A)amniotic bilirubin level
B)amniotic creatine level
C)L/S ratio (lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio)
D)sonogram

Answer 3

L/S ratio (lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio)

Question 4

Which of these statements about circumcision of an infant is TRUE?

A)It is considered to be a routine procedure for male infants.
B)It is an elective procedure for full-term,healthy infants.
C)Anesthesia is generally not required.
D)Its benefits outweigh any disadvantages.

Question 5

The nurse instills erythromycin ointment into the eyes of all newborns just after birth to prevent:

A)nystagmus
B)ophthalmia neonatorum
C)retinopathy
D)strabismus

Question 6

A newborn client has a positive Babinski's reflex upon admission to the nursery.Which of these actions should the nurse take?

A)No action should be taken,because it is considered a normal reflex until the child is about 12 to 18 months of age.
B)Inform the health care provider because it indicates a problem with the central nervous system.
C)Request an order for a blood glucose because it indicates hypoglycemia in the newborn.
D)Watch the newborn carefully because it indicates the possibility of a seizure disorder.

Question 7

A new mother insists that her baby must be cold because its hands and feet are blue.What should the nurse explain to the mother about the infant's blue coloring?

A)It is called acrocyanosis and will improve as the baby's circulation improves.
B)It is cyanosis and will require administration of oxygen until it resolves.
C)It is due to patent ductus arteriosus,which is normal for several hours after birth.
D)It is indeed due to being cold,and the baby should be returned to the warmer.

Question 8

Regardless of the feeding method chosen,a new mother should be instructed to burp her infant:

A)every 5 minutes
B)after the bottle is finished or when both breasts have been emptied
C)every 10 minutes
D)halfway through the bottle or when changing breasts

Question 9

When a nurse teaches a new mother how to breastfeed,the mother is instructed to fully empty the first breast offered to her newborn before offering the other,to ensure that:

A)both breasts are fully emptied during a feeding
B)the infant receives the foremilk
C)the infant receives the hindmilk
D)the infant receives the milk highest in lactose

Question 10

When a nurse is giving the first bath to a newborn,which of these actions is essential?

A)wearing gloves while bathing the newborn
B)bathing the newborn in a small tub
C)cleansing the newborn's ears with a cotton-tipped applicator
D)sponge-bathing the newborn under a radiant warmer

Question 11

A new mother expresses concern over the tiny white bumps on her baby's nose and chin.Which of these explanations should the nurse give to the mother?

A)The baby's face has probably not been washed adequately.
B)These bumps are normal in newborns and will go away by themselves.
C)These bumps are an indication of a milk allergy.
D)This skin eruption is an early indication of a systemic infection.

Question 12

The nurse uses the new Ballard score to estimate a newborn's gestational age.Which of the following characteristics would indicate that the infant is at 37 weeks' gestational age?

A)a 30-degree square window of the wrist
B)creases on two-thirds of the soles of the feet
C)descended testes with few rugae present
D)a soft pinna that stays folded

Question 13

What is the most common cause of kernicterus in the newborn?

A)breastfeeding
B)dehydration
C)Rh incompatibility
D)transfusion reaction

Question 14

A newborn's birth weight is placed at the 8th percentile for week of gestation.According to the accepted classification range,the newborn would be classified in which of these categories?

A)appropriate for gestational age (AGA)
B)large for gestational age (LGA)
C)premature
D)small for gestational age (SGA)

Question 15

In the normal newborn,how does the infant's head circumference compare to that of the chest?

A)They are equal.
B)The head is 2 to 3 centimeters larger than the chest circumference.
C)The head is 4 to 5 centimeters smaller than the chest circumference.
D)The head is 5 to 6 centimeters larger than the chest circumference.

Question 16

Before an infant is discharged following circumcision,the nurse should ensure that the infant must meet which of these criteria?

A)normal vital signs for a minimum of 4 hours
B)tolerated at least one feeding
C)minimal bleeding and one voiding
D)at least two voidings and minimal crying

Question 17

When teaching caregivers to prepare infant formula,the nurse should instruct them to mix the formula to provide how many kilocalories per ounce?

A)10
B)15
C)20
D)24

Question 18

When a newborn assumes the "fencing position" under the radiant warmer,it means that the infant:

A)extends and arches the spine with flexion of the legs
B)extends the arm and leg on the side the face points to and flexes the opposite arm and leg
C)flexes the arm and leg on the side the face points to and extends the opposite arm and leg
D)rotates the trunk in the direction the head is turned

Question 19

When assessing a baby born 2 days after the due date,the nurse would recognize the due date was accurate if which of the following findings is present?

A)no flexion of extremities
B)pale pink skin with no visible veins and little lanugo
C)a soft pinna that stays folded
D)eyelids fused

Question 20

When a new mother is breastfeeding her infant,which of these dietary modifications is needed to maintain her own health and to provide the most nutritious milk for her child?

A)Balance the intake of protein,carbohydrates,and fat daily.
B)Eat an extra helping of fruit and vegetables every day.
C)Increase caloric intake by at least 500 calories daily.
D)Drink at least two glasses of milk every day.

Question 21

Which of the following is a common complication in infants of mothers who are diabetic?

A)talipes equinovarus
B)hyperglycemia
C)patent ductus arteriosus
D)Down syndrome

Question 22

Which of the following regarding breastfeeding is TRUE? (Select all that apply. )

A)involves feeding less frequently
B)builds mother/infant bonding
C)may cause constipation
D)enhances the immune system
E)makes overfeeding likely
F)is easier to digest

Question 23

A 5-month-old infant is admitted with vomiting and eczema over the lower extremities.The mother states that the infant is not developing as fast as her other children.When a diagnosis of phenylketonuria (PKU)is made,the nurse should recognize which of the following as the basic underlying defect involved?

A)absence of the enzyme hexosaminidase component A
B)absence of surfactant
C)chromosomal abnormality involving pairs 21 to 23
D)deficiency of a liver enzyme that metabolizes phenylalanine

Question 24

When a nurse cares for a newborn who has spina bifida occulta,which of these signs would be evident?

A)a dimple at the base of the spine on the infant's back
B)a mild degree of paralysis of the lower extremities with no visible defect
C)paralysis of the lower extremities,including lack of sphincter control
D)progressive hydrocephalus and a protrusion of the meninges through the skin of the back

Question 25

A nurse should monitor an infant who has respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)for symptoms of:

A)metabolic acidosis
B)metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis
C)respiratory acidosis
D)respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis