A 3-day-old infant is admitted for fever of 40.1°C (104.2°F) axillary. The nurse bases the care plan on the knowledge that:
The patient should be given aspirin immediately to reduce fever.
The patient likely has a hospital-acquired sepsis.
The patient's blood pressure is an early indicator of sepsis.
The patient likely acquired an infection from the mother.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: This statement is incorrect, as aspirin is contraindicated in children under 18 years of age due to the risk of Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition that affects the liver and brain. The nurse should use other methods to reduce the fever, such as acetaminophen, tepid sponge baths, or cooling blankets.
Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect, as hospital-acquired sepsis is unlikely in a 3-day-old infant, unless the infant was exposed to invasive procedures or devices, such as catheters, ventilators, or surgery. The nurse should consider other sources of infection, such as the maternal genital tract, the umbilical cord, or the skin.
Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect, as blood pressure is not an early indicator of sepsis, but a late sign of shock. The nurse should monitor the infant for other signs of sepsis, such as temperature instability, tachycardia, tachypnea, lethargy, poor feeding, irritability, or hypoglycemia.
Choice D reason: This statement is correct, as the most common cause of sepsis in neonates is vertical transmission from the mother during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. The nurse should obtain a history of the mother's prenatal care, infections, medications, or complications, and assess the infant for any congenital anomalies or risk factors.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Slowing the heart rate does not increase diastolic filling time. Diastolic filling time is the time during which the ventricles are relaxed and filling with blood. Slowing the heart rate would decrease the cardiac output and worsen the heart failure.
Choice B reason: Increasing urine output does decrease pulmonary congestion, but it is not the primary effect of Captopril. Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This reduces the blood pressure and the afterload on the heart. Diuretics are the drugs that increase urine output and reduce fluid overload.
Choice C reason: This is the correct choice. Decreasing the afterload means reducing the resistance that the heart has to overcome to pump blood to the body. This lowers the blood pressure and the workload on the heart, which improves the cardiac function and reduces the symptoms of heart failure.
Choice D reason: Increasing serum potassium does not improve cardiac performance. In fact, high levels of potassium can cause cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Captopril can cause hyperkalemia (high potassium) as a side effect, which is why patients on this drug need to monitor their potassium levels and avoid potassium supplements or salt substitutes.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect because the symptoms described by the mother are not typical of a formula allergy. A formula allergy would cause symptoms such as rash, hives, wheezing, or vomiting within minutes or hours of feeding. Switching to a soy based formula is not recommended without consulting a doctor, as some infants may also be allergic to soy.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect because feeding the infant after vomiting and diarrhea may worsen the condition and cause more dehydration. The infant should be given small amounts of oral rehydration solution (ORS) or breastmilk to prevent fluid loss. If the infant cannot tolerate oral fluids or shows signs of severe dehydration, such as sunken eyes, dry mouth, or lethargy, they should be taken to the emergency department for intravenous rehydration.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect because blood and mucous in the stool are not normal findings in infants and should be investigated promptly. They may indicate a serious condition such as intussusception, which is a telescoping of the bowel that causes obstruction and inflammation. The stool may look like currant jelly due to the presence of blood and mucous. Intussusception is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Choice D reason: This is correct because the infant's symptoms may indicate a serious condition such as intussusception, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. The infant should be taken to the emergency room for further evaluation and management. The nurse should also advise the mother to monitor the infant's vital signs, hydration status, and urine output until they reach the hospital.
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