A graduate nurse is reinforcing education to a pregnant client with hepatitis B who expresses concern about transmitting the virus to the newborn after birth. Which statement about newborn care made by the graduate nurse should cause the precepting nurse to intervene?

Question

A graduate nurse is reinforcing education to a pregnant client with hepatitis B who expresses concern about transmitting the virus to the newborn after birth.  Which statement about newborn care made by the graduate nurse should cause the precepting nurse to intervene?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hepatitis B virus infection is a bloodborne disease that poses a significant infection risk to the newborn because of exposure to maternal blood and bodily fluids during birth. The most important interventions to prevent maternal-to-newborn transmission after birth include initiation of the hepatitis B vaccine series and administration of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) within 12 hours of birth. Clients who desire to breastfeed should be encouraged to do so if possible because very few absolute contraindications to breastfeeding exist. Breastfeeding has not been shown to affect newborn infection rates and is not contraindicated as long as the client's nipples are intact (eg, not bleeding) and immunoprophylaxis (ie, HBIG, hepatitis B vaccine) is appropriately administered (Option D). (Option A) To protect the newborn from further exposure to maternal blood and bodily fluids, the nurse should wash the newborn's skin prior to any procedures that puncture the skin (eg, vaccination). (Option B) All newborns of mothers with a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test should receive the HBIG injection and hepatitis B vaccination to prevent infection and ensure long-term immunity. (Option C) Skin-to-skin contact promotes maternal-newborn bonding, breastfeeding initiation, and temperature regulation and is not contraindicated for clients with hepatitis B. Educational objective: Hepatitis B virus infection is a bloodborne disease that poses a significant infection risk to the newborn. It is not a contraindication to breastfeeding. However, the hepatitis B immune globulin and vaccine should be administered to the newborn within 12 hours of birth.

A Graduate Nurse Is Reinforcing Education to a Pregnant Client