A new mother asks the nurse about the white substance" covering her infant. The nurse explains that the purpose of vernix caseosa is to:
Protect the fetal skin from amniotic fluid.
Promote normal peripheral nervous system development.
Allow transport of oxygen and nutrients across the amnion.
Regulate fetal temperature.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Protect the fetal skin from amniotic fluid:
Vernix caseosa is a whitish, cheese-like substance that covers the skin of the fetus during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It plays an essential role in protecting the fetal skin from prolonged exposure to amniotic fluid, which can be irritating. Vernix also serves as a barrier that helps prevent water loss and protects against potential infections.
B) Promote normal peripheral nervous system development:
While the development of the peripheral nervous system is vital to fetal development, the presence of vernix caseosa is not directly related to promoting nervous system development. The vernix's primary function is to protect the skin, not influence neural development. Neural development occurs due to other factors, such as adequate nutrition and hormonal regulation during pregnancy.
C) Allow transport of oxygen and nutrients across the amnion:
Vernix caseosa does not play a role in transporting oxygen or nutrients across the amnion. Oxygen and nutrients are transferred to the fetus through the placenta and the umbilical cord. The amniotic sac, which contains amniotic fluid, provides a cushioning effect for the fetus, but the vernix itself does not participate in nutrient or oxygen exchange.
D) Regulate fetal temperature:
Vernix caseosa does not directly regulate fetal temperature. Fetal temperature regulation is mainly managed by the mother's body through thermoregulation and the umbilical blood flow. The vernix may provide some protection against temperature fluctuations after birth, but its primary function is to protect the skin, not to regulate temperature.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Mother Rh-, baby Rh+:
Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) is given to Rh-negative mothers after childbirth if the baby is Rh-positive. This is to prevent the mother from developing antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells, which could affect future pregnancies. If the mother’s immune system recognizes Rh-positive cells as foreign, it may start producing antibodies that can cross the placenta and harm future Rh-positive fetuses, potentially leading to hemolytic disease of the newborn. Administering RhoGAM prevents this sensitization from occurring.
B. Mother Rh-, baby Rh-:
If the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is also Rh-negative, there is no risk of Rh incompatibility. Since there is no Rh-positive blood in the mix, the mother will not develop antibodies against Rh-positive cells. Therefore, Rh immune globulin is not needed in this situation.
C. Mother Rh+, baby Rh+:
If the mother is Rh-positive, there is no risk of Rh incompatibility regardless of the baby’s Rh status. Rh-positive mothers do not produce antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells, so RhoGAM is unnecessary in this scenario.
D. Mother Rh+, baby Rh-:
Again, since the mother is Rh-positive, there is no risk of sensitization, even if the baby is Rh-negative. In this situation, the mother's immune system will not generate antibodies against Rh-negative blood cells, and RhoGAM is not needed.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Excessive uterine bleeding: A distended bladder can cause the uterus to become displaced to the right, preventing it from contracting effectively. This lack of uterine contraction can lead to uterine atony, which is a significant risk factor for excessive postpartum bleeding. When the uterus cannot contract well, it may result in continued
hemorrhage, which is a serious and immediate concern for postpartum patients.
B) A bladder rupture: While bladder rupture is a rare and severe complication, it is unlikely to occur in this situation. Bladder distention is a concern, but the most immediate danger is related to the uterus, not the bladder itself. A rupture would require significant trauma or extreme overdistention of the bladder, neither of which are described here.
C) Bladder wall atony: Bladder wall atony, where the bladder loses its ability to contract and expel urine, is not the most serious immediate consequence of bladder distention postpartum. While it may be uncomfortable and problematic, the main concern in this scenario is how bladder distention affects uterine contraction, which can lead to excessive bleeding.
D) Urinary tract infection: Although urinary retention can increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to incomplete bladder emptying, this is a less immediate and life-threatening concern compared to excessive bleeding. The primary concern in the immediate postpartum period is the potential for hemorrhage from uterine atony, which is worsened by bladder distention.
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