A new mother is changing the diaper of her 12-hour-old newborn and asks why the stool is black and sticky. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

"This is meconium stool and is normal for a newborn."

"You probably took iron during your pregnancy and that is what causes this type of stool."

“ This is unusual, and I need to report this to your pediatrician."

I'll take a sample and check it for possible bleeding"

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. "This is meconium stool and is normal for a newborn." is the correct and most appropriate response. Meconium is the newborn’s first stool, typically passed within the first 24 to 48 hours of life. It is black, tarry, and sticky in appearance and consists of materials the baby ingested while in the womb, such as amniotic fluid, mucus, and cells. It is completely normal and expected.

B. "You probably took iron during your pregnancy and that is what causes this type of stool." is incorrect. While iron supplements can darken adult stools, meconium is unrelated to maternal iron intake and is a normal physiological occurrence in all newborns.

C. “This is unusual, and I need to report this to your pediatrician." is incorrect and would be alarming to the parent unnecessarily. This is a normal finding, not something requiring physician notification.

D. "I'll take a sample and check it for possible bleeding" is also inappropriate unless there are other signs of concern (e.g., blood in stool later on). Meconium is not indicative of bleeding and does not warrant testing under normal circumstances.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Jaundice is not typically a primary concern in the case of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Jaundice is more associated with liver dysfunction, not hemorrhage or the acute events following an ectopic pregnancy rupture.

B. Depression is an emotional response that could occur after a traumatic event like an ectopic pregnancy, but it is not the priority in an acute situation where physical signs of a life-threatening condition like hemorrhage need immediate attention.

C. Edema may be present in a variety of conditions but is not as urgent or immediately life-threatening as hemorrhage in the case of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

D. Hemorrhage is the priority concern in a suspected ruptured ectopic pregnancy. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy can lead to significant internal bleeding, which can cause hypovolemic shock and be life-threatening. Immediate attention to monitoring for signs of hemorrhage (such as hypotension, tachycardia, dizziness, and abdominal pain) is crucial to ensure the client's safety.

A. fluid replacement B. birth of the fetus C. oxygenation D. control of hypertension

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Fluid replacement is important for maintaining maternal and fetal circulation, but it is not the priority immediately following a seizure. Oxygenation and stabilizing the mother’s condition are more critical in the acute phase.

B. Birth of the fetus may become necessary if the mother’s condition worsens, but the immediate priority is stabilizing the mother and ensuring proper oxygenation to prevent further complications for both the mother and fetus.

C. Oxygenation is the priority intervention after a seizure in eclampsia. Seizures can lead to a decrease in oxygen levels, and ensuring adequate oxygenation is crucial for both the mother and fetus. The nurse should administer oxygen to support breathing and prevent hypoxia.

D. Control of hypertension is essential in managing eclampsia, but the immediate focus should be on stabilizing the mother post-seizure, which includes ensuring adequate oxygenation first. Once stabilized, antihypertensive medications can be administered as necessary.

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A new mother is changing the diaper of her 12-hour-old newborn and asks why the stool is black and sticky. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client is suspected of having a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Which assessment would the nurse identify as the priority?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A woman with gestational hypertension develops eclampsia and experiences a seizure. Which intervention would the nurse identify as the priority?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is completing a postpartum assessment. Which finding would alert the nurse to a potential problem?

A nurse is providing care to a postpartum woman. Which of the following behavior by the client would indicate the client is in the Taking in phase?

A woman is receiving magnesium sulfate as part of her treatment for severe preeclampsia. The nurse is monitoring the woman's serum magnesium levels. The nurse determines that the drug is at a therapeutic level based on which result?

A postpartum client is experiencing subinvolution. When reviewing the woman's labor and birth history, which factor would the nurse identify as being a significant contributor to this condition?

While performing a physical assessment of a newborn boy, the nurse notes diffuse edema of the soft tissues of his scalp that crosses suture lines. The nurse documents this finding as:

A primipara client gave birth vaginally to a healthy newborn girl 12 hours ago. The nurse palpates the client's fundus. Which finding would the nurse identify as expected?

The nurse is reviewing the laboratory test results of a pregnant client. Which finding would alert the nurse to the development of HELLP syndrome?

The nurse dries the neonate thoroughly and promptly changes wet linens. The nurse does so to minimize heat loss via which mechanism?