A nurse is admitting a term newborn to the nursery following a cesarean birth. The nurse observes that the newborn's skin is slightly yellow. This finding indicates the newborn is experiencing a complication related to which of the following?

Choice A reason:

Moro is a newborn reflex that occurs when the baby is startled by a loud sound or movement. The baby will cry, throw back his or her head, and then pull his or her limbs into the body. This reflex lasts until the baby is about 2 months old.

Choice B reason:

Rooting is a newborn reflex that starts when the corner of the baby's mouth is stroked or touched. The baby will turn his or her head and open his or her mouth to follow and root in the direction of the stroking. This helps the baby find the breast or bottle to start feeding. This reflex lasts about 4 months.

Choice C reason:

Gag is a newborn reflex that prevents the baby from choking on foreign objects. The baby will cough, gag or spit out anything that touches the back of the throat or the roof of the mouth. This reflex is present throughout life.

Choice D reason:

Running is not a newborn reflex. It is a voluntary movement that develops later in childhood. Choice E reason:

Babinski is a newborn reflex that occurs when the sole of the foot is stroked from heel to toe. The baby will fan out and curl up the toes and twist the foot inward. This reflex lasts until the baby is about 12 months old.

Choice F reason:

Stepping is a newborn reflex that occurs when the baby is held upright with his or her feet touching a solid surface. The baby will appear to take steps or dance. This reflex lasts about 2 months.

Choice G reason:

The crawling reflex is a developmental milestone observed in infants around 6-8 months of age. It involves the baby moving on their hands and knees, often starting with a belly-crawling motion. Unlike newborn reflexes, this skill is learned and requires muscle coordination and strength.

Choice H reason:

Standing with support is a developmental milestone typically achieved by infants around 9-12 months. In this skill, the baby pulls themselves up to a standing position while holding onto furniture or a caregiver’s hands. It is a learned behavior reflecting increased muscle strength and balance, distinct from newborn reflexes.

Choice I reason:

The pincer grasp is a fine motor skill that usually develops between 8-12 months. It involves the baby using the thumb and index finger to pick up small objects. This ability is not a reflex but a learned skill that demonstrates improved hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

Choice A reason:

This statement is incorrect because special lights are used to treat jaundice, not PKU. Jaundice is a condition that causes yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a waste product that is normally removed by the liver. Special lights help break down bilirubin so that it can be excreted from the body.

Choice B reason:

This statement is correct because PKU is a genetic disorder that can be corrected by diet. PKU is caused by a lack of an enzyme that breaks down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein-rich foods. Phenylalanine can build up in the blood and cause brain damage and other health problems if not treated. A diet that is low in phenylalanine and high in a special formula can prevent these complications.

Choice C reason:

This statement is correct because sometimes the test is repeated in the doctor's office at the 2-week check-up. The PKU test is done one to three days after birth, but it may not be accurate if the baby has not had enough protein in their diet before the test. A repeat test may be needed to confirm or rule out PKU.

Choice D reason:

This statement is incorrect because the baby must take formula or breast milk after the test is done, not before. The test measures the level of phenylalanine in the blood, which will be higher if the baby has eaten protein-rich foods. The test should be done after the baby has fasted for at least two hours.