A full term newborn was just born. Which nursing intervention is important for the nurse to perform first?

Dry the infant throughly and place on mom skin to skin

Determine Apgar Score.

Encourage mother to begin breastfeeding.

Administer medication for eye prophylaxis.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A) Dry the infant thoroughly and place on mom skin to skin:
The priority intervention for a newborn immediately after birth is to dry the infant thoroughly and promote skin-to-skin contact with the mother. Drying the infant helps prevent heat loss, a major concern for newborns as they are at risk of hypothermia due to their large body surface area relative to their weight. Skin-to-skin contact not only helps maintain the newborn's body temperature but also promotes bonding, regulates heart rate, and supports breastfeeding initiation. This is the most critical step in the immediate post-birth period.
B) Determine Apgar Score:
While assessing the newborn with the Apgar score is an important task, it is usually done within the first minute and five minutes after birth. However, ensuring the infant’s warmth and stability by drying and placing the baby on the mother's chest should take priority. The Apgar score can be recorded after ensuring that the newborn is stable and appropriately warmed.

C) Encourage mother to begin breastfeeding:
Encouraging breastfeeding is an important aspect of newborn care, as it provides essential nutrients and promotes bonding. However, skin-to-skin contact and ensuring the infant is warm and stable take precedence over breastfeeding initiation. Once the baby is stable and has been dried and placed on the mother’s chest, breastfeeding can begin naturally.

D) Administer medication for eye prophylaxis:
Administering eye prophylaxis (typically erythromycin or tetracycline ointment) is important to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia. However, this is a secondary concern compared to maintaining the newborn's temperature and ensuring initial bonding. The medication can be administered after the initial stabilizing interventions have been completed.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) "I'll walk you to the bathroom and stay with you."
After delivery, the patient is at risk for orthostatic hypotension and falling, especially within the first few hours postpartum. Even though the patient feels alert and active, her body is still adjusting after childbirth, and she may be unsteady. The nurse should assist her to the bathroom and provide supervision for her safety. Walking the patient to the bathroom ensures she can safely get there while allowing the nurse to assess her mobility and vital signs if necessary.

B) "I will get a bedpan for you."
While a bedpan may be appropriate if the patient is unable to get out of bed, this response does not prioritize the patient's expressed desire to go to the bathroom. Since she is alert, active, and able to communicate, walking her to the bathroom is a safer and more appropriate option than offering a bedpan. Using a bedpan would also restrict her mobility unnecessarily.

C) "Leave your peri-pad in place after you use the restroom so I can check your bleeding when you get back."
This does not address the immediate concern of the patient’s safety in getting to the bathroom. The nurse's priority should be her safety and mobility right after delivery, especially as the patient is still recovering and may be at risk for fainting or falling.

D) "Wait until I have had a chance to assess you first."
While it is important to assess the patient’s physical state postpartum, the response here should focus on immediate safety rather than delaying her need to use the restroom. A full assessment can be conducted later, but it is not appropriate to restrict the patient's autonomy when she has already indicated the need to go to the bathroom.

A. Wash your hands before and after you use the bathroom and change your sanitary pad B. Do not take tub baths for eight weeks C. Use tampons instead of pads as they are better at inhibiting bacterial growth D. Douche with a mild antiseptic twice a day for two weeks, starting at day three

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Wash your hands before and after you use the bathroom and change your sanitary pad:
The most important instruction for preventing postpartum infection is proper hand hygiene. The risk of infection in the postpartum period is high, especially because the perineum and cervix are healing after delivery. By washing hands before and after using the bathroom or changing sanitary pads, the mother reduces the risk of introducing harmful bacteria into the vaginal area. Proper hand hygiene helps minimize the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), wound infections, and endometritis, which are all common postpartum complications.

B) Do not take tub baths for eight weeks:
While it is true that taking tub baths can potentially introduce bacteria into the vaginal area, particularly if the perineum is healing from a tear or episiotomy, this is a secondary concern. The priority is hand hygiene, which directly prevents infection by limiting bacterial exposure. The recommendation to avoid tub baths is generally valid for the first 6 weeks, but it is less critical than hand washing.

C) Use tampons instead of pads as they are better at inhibiting bacterial growth:
Using tampons is not recommended in the postpartum period because they can increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome and can irritate the vaginal area or interfere with uterine healing. Pads are preferred to absorb lochia (postpartum discharge) and are safer for vaginal healing. Tampons do not inhibit bacterial growth more effectively than pads, and the use of tampons can actually increase the risk of infection, so this option is incorrect.

D) Douche with a mild antiseptic twice a day for two weeks, starting at day three:
Douching is not recommended during the postpartum period. It can disrupt the natural vaginal flora, increase the risk of infections like vaginitis, and delay the healing process. The vagina has its own natural defense mechanisms, and douching with antiseptics is unnecessary and can do more harm than good. Instead, the focus should be on keeping the area clean and dry and practicing proper hand hygiene.

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A full term newborn was just born. Which nursing intervention is important for the nurse to perform first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

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