A new father notices all the nurses wear gloves when handling his newborn.
He asks, 'Is something wrong with my baby?' The nurse should explain that gloves are worn primarily to:
Protect the baby from germs on the nurse's hands.
Protect the nurse from bloodborne pathogens present on the newborn after birth.
Follow the Apgar scoring protocol.
Indicate the nurse has primary responsibility for the baby.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
While hand hygiene is the most important factor in preventing the spread of germs to the baby, the primary reason for wearing gloves when handling a newborn immediately after birth is not to protect the baby from the nurse. Apgar scores and initial assessments are often performed while the infant is still covered in amniotic fluid and blood. Standard precautions are designed to protect healthcare workers from potential exposure to maternal pathogens found in these body fluids.
Choice B rationale
Standard precautions require the use of gloves when there is potential contact with blood, body fluids, or non-intact skin. Newborns are born covered in amniotic fluid, maternal blood, and vernix caseosa, all of which are considered potentially infectious materials. The nurse wears gloves to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C, from the maternal fluids on the infant's skin to the nurse's own hands before the first bath.
Choice C rationale
The Apgar scoring system is a clinical tool used to evaluate the newborn's physical condition at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. It assesses heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color. While the nurse may be wearing gloves while performing this assessment due to the presence of body fluids, the Apgar protocol itself does not dictate the use of personal protective equipment. The use of gloves is a broader infection control policy.
Choice D rationale
Wearing gloves is a clinical safety requirement and does not serve as a symbolic indicator of who has primary responsibility for the infant's care. Both the primary nurse and the parents have responsibilities, but the nurse uses gloves as part of a professional safety standard. Communicating the purpose of gloves helps the father understand that the practice is a routine safety measure for the staff rather than an indication of a health problem with his baby.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Flatulence and constipation are common occurrences in the early postpartum period due to the effects of progesterone on GI motility, decreased abdominal muscle tone, and potential side effects of pain medications. While uncomfortable for the patient, these symptoms are expected and do not typically require immediate notification of a physician. Nursing interventions like encouraging ambulation, increasing fluid intake, and providing stool softeners are usually sufficient to manage these issues.
Choice B rationale
Extreme hunger and thirst are normal physiological responses following the intense physical exertion of labor and delivery. The body requires additional energy and hydration to begin the recovery process and to support the initiation of lactation. This is an expected finding as the body shifts from the stress of childbirth to a state of replenishment. It does not indicate a medical emergency or a complication requiring a physician's intervention.
Choice C rationale
Lochia follows a specific chronological progression: rubra (red) for 1 to 3 days, serosa (pinkish-brown) for 4 to 10 days, and alba (white-yellow) after 10 days. A direct change from rubra to alba, skipping the serosa stage, is physiologically abnormal and may indicate an underlying issue with the healing of the placental site. Any regression or deviation from the expected color sequence warrants assessment and notification of the healthcare provider to rule out complications.
Choice D rationale
The presence of yellowish fluid from the nipples, known as colostrum, is a normal and expected finding in the early postpartum period before the transition to mature breast milk. Colostrum is rich in antibodies and nutrients, serving as the first milk for the newborn. This signifies that the hormonal transition and lactation process are beginning as intended. It is a healthy sign of postpartum physiological adaptation and does not require physician notification.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While this response is empathetic and open-ended, it does not directly answer the client's specific question regarding the risk of multiple births. In a clinical setting, clients require factual information to make informed decisions about their care. Asking if they want to discuss it further without providing the necessary statistics or scientific context fails to address the immediate knowledge deficit. Effective nursing communication should combine supportive inquiry with accurate, evidence-based data.
Choice B rationale
This statement is factually incorrect and provides false reassurance. Clomiphene citrate stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, which can lead to the maturation and ovulation of multiple follicles. While twins are the most common multiple birth associated with this medication, higher-order multiples like quadruplets or quintuplets have been documented. Telling a client that more than triplets is impossible is a violation of the duty to provide truthful medical information.
Choice C rationale
Ultrasound monitoring is indeed used to track the number and size of developing follicles during a medicated cycle. However, monitoring alone does not prevent the physiological occurrence of multiple ovulation. Even if multiple follicles are seen, the medication has already been administered, and the risk remains if the couple engages in intercourse. The nurse cannot guarantee that multiple births will not happen simply because the client is being monitored by the healthcare team.
Choice D rationale
Clomiphene citrate is associated with a multiple pregnancy rate of approximately 5 percent to 10 percent, with the vast majority being twins. Providing this specific percentage gives the client a clear, evidence-based understanding of the risk. Stating that 10 percent is relatively low helps put the risk in perspective while acknowledging that the possibility exists. This response is the most scientifically accurate and helpful for a client weighing the pros and cons of treatment.
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