A newborn is choking and turning cyanotic with the first sucks of sterile water. The healthcare provider prescribes x-rays and explains that the newborn may have a tracheoesophageal fistula.
Which intervention should the practical nurse implement until the diagnosis of tracheoesophageal fistula is confirmed?
Administer oxygen, suction as needed, and turn the newborn from supine to prone position every 2 hours.
Offer sterile water per nipple to moisten the oral mucosa then place the infant in a prone position.
Insert an orogastric tube and give feedings via gavage after x-ray confirmation.
Keep the infant NPO and place in a supine position with the head of the crib elevated 30 degrees.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Administering oxygen and suctioning are appropriate for respiratory distress, but turning the newborn from supine to prone every 2 hours does not prevent aspiration in tracheoesophageal fistula and may increase the risk of aspiration or worsen respiratory compromise by allowing refluxed gastric contents to enter the airway.
Choice B rationale
Offering sterile water per nipple is contraindicated in suspected tracheoesophageal fistula because it poses a significant aspiration risk, as the water will likely enter the trachea. Placing the infant in a prone position does not mitigate this aspiration risk during feeding.
Choice C rationale
Inserting an orogastric tube is appropriate, but giving feedings via gavage before confirmation is dangerous due to the risk of aspiration into the lungs if a fistula is present. Confirmation via x-ray is crucial to ensure the tube is correctly placed and feeding is safe.
Choice D rationale
Keeping the infant NPO (nothing by mouth) prevents aspiration of fluids or food into the respiratory tract, which is a major complication of tracheoesophageal fistula. Elevating the head of the crib to 30 degrees uses gravity to minimize gastroesophageal reflux and further reduce the risk of aspiration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A visit summary documenting the report of abuse may be legally required for documentation but does not directly provide the client with immediate safety resources. The priority is to empower the client with actionable steps to ensure her safety and well-being in an abusive situation.
Choice B rationale
Contact information for a women's shelter provides a crucial immediate resource for safety and support. These shelters offer a safe haven, counseling, and assistance with legal and social services, empowering the client to escape the abusive environment and access necessary resources for herself and potentially her children.
Choice C rationale
Paperwork needed to file a restraining order is a legal step that the client may choose to pursue later. However, in an immediate confiding situation, providing a direct safety resource like shelter information is more paramount, as filing a restraining order requires time and legal processes that may not offer immediate protection.
Choice D rationale
A safety plan to keep in a purse at all times is a valuable tool for future use but does not address the immediate need for a safe place or resources. While important for long-term safety, the initial intervention should focus on providing immediate pathways to escape the abusive situation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice D.
Choice A rationale: This choice incorrectly counts four pregnancies. Scientifically, gravida includes all confirmed pregnancies, but only those that actually occurred. The client has had one miscarriage, one fetal demise, and is currently pregnant—totaling three pregnancies. Counting four would imply an additional pregnancy that did not occur. Overestimating gravida can lead to inaccurate obstetric records and misinterpretation of reproductive history, which may affect clinical decision-making and risk assessment.
Choice B rationale: This choice undercounts the total number of pregnancies by only including two. It likely omits either the miscarriage or the current pregnancy. Scientifically, all pregnancies are counted in gravida, regardless of gestational age or outcome. Miscarriages and fetal demises are included. Underreporting gravida can lead to incomplete obstetric history, which may compromise prenatal care and risk evaluation during labor and delivery.
Choice C rationale: This choice significantly underestimates the gravida by counting only one pregnancy. It may reflect a misunderstanding that only the current or viable pregnancies are included. However, from a clinical standpoint, gravida includes all pregnancies, including those that ended in miscarriage or fetal demise. Accurate gravida documentation is essential for assessing maternal risk factors and planning appropriate obstetric care.
Choice D rationale: This is the correct interpretation. The client has had three pregnancies: one miscarriage at 16 weeks, one fetal demise at 31 weeks, and the current pregnancy at 39 weeks. Scientifically, gravida includes all pregnancies regardless of outcome. This total of three pregnancies makes her gravida 3. Accurate documentation of gravida is crucial for understanding reproductive history and guiding prenatal and intrapartum care.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
