The nurse explains to the parents of a premature newborn that infant respiratory distress syndrome is caused by:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Deficiency of surfactant is the cause of infant respiratory distress syndrome. Surfactant is a substance that helps to keep the alveoli open and prevents them from collapsing. In premature infants, the lungs are not fully developed and they may not produce enough surfactant. This can lead to infant respiratory distress syndrome, which can be a life-threatening condition.

The Nurse Explains to the Parents of a Premature Newborn