The nurse is performing a gestational age and physical assessment on the newborn.The infant appears to have an excessive amount of saliva.The nurse recognizes that this finding:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of excessive saliva in a neonate should alert the nurse to the possibility of tracheoesophageal fistula or esophageal atresia.Excessive salivation may not be a normal finding and should be further assessed for the possibility that the infant has an esophageal abnormality.The hungry infant reacts by making sucking motions,rooting,or making hand to mouth movements.The infant with a diaphragmatic hernia presents with severe respiratory distress.

The Nurse Is Performing a Gestational Age and Physical Assessment