The nurse is caring for a baby with esophageal atresia. Which situation during the mother's pregnancy indicates that this health problem was developing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Esophageal atresia must be ruled out in any infant born to a woman with hydramnios or excessive amniotic fluid. Normally, a fetus swallows amniotic fluid during intrauterine life. With esophageal atresia, the fetus cannot swallow so the amount of amniotic fluid grows abnormally large, leading to hydramnios. Oligohydramnios, a difficult second stage of labor, or bleeding at 32 weeks of pregnancy does not indicate that esophageal atresia was developing during fetal development.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Baby with Esophageal Atresia