A nurse completes a newborn assessment on a 6-hour-old newborn. She notices cyanotic hands and feet. Which action is the nurse's priority?
Administer oxygen.
Place newborn in an isolette.
Apply pulse oximeter.
Swaddle baby in blankets.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Administering oxygen is unnecessary unless central cyanosis (lips and tongue) is present.
B. An isolette may help with thermoregulation, but swaddling is the more immediate action.
C. Pulse oximetry is unnecessary for peripheral cyanosis.
D. Cyanotic hands and feet (acrocyanosis) are normal in the first 24-48 hours after birth due to immature circulation. Keeping the baby warm by swaddling promotes circulation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The nurse should dry the neonate immediately after birth to prevent heat loss, as newborns are at risk for hypothermia.
B. APGAR scoring is typically done 1 and 5 minutes after birth, not every 30 minutes during the 3rd stage of labor.
C. The neonatal assessment is usually performed after the delivery of the placenta, not during the 3rd stage of labor.
D. Blood samples for blood type are typically obtained after the newborn has stabilized, not during the 3rd stage of labor.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"B","dropdown-group-2":"A"}
Explanation
Respiratory Status: The newborn is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress, including a respiratory rate of 100/min, grunting, nasal flaring, and substernal retractions. These findings indicate compromised respiratory function, which requires immediate attention to prevent hypoxemia or respiratory failure. The diffuse radiopaque areas on the chest x-ray suggest a condition like transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), common in low-birth-weight infants.
Temperature: After stabilizing the respiratory status, addressing the newborn’s temperature is important. The temperature of 36.3°C (97.3°F) indicates mild hypothermia, which can further compromise respiratory function and glucose metabolism if not corrected. Warming the infant with skin-to-skin contact or using a radiant warmer is necessary to maintain thermoregulation.
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