A nurse is assessing a newborn's heart rate. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Assess the apical pulse while the newborn is crying.
Palpate the radial pulse for 30 seconds.
Listen to the apical pulse while palpating the radial pulse.
Auscultate the apical pulse at least 1 min.
The Correct Answer is D
A is incorrect because assessing the apical pulse while the newborn is crying can result in an inaccurate measurement due to increased heart rate and respiratory rate.
B is incorrect because palpating the radial pulse for 30 seconds is not appropriate for a newborn as it can be difficult to locate and count accurately.
C is incorrect because listening to the apical pulse while palpating the radial pulse is not necessary for a newborn and can be confusing and time-consuming.
D is correct because auscultating the apical pulse at least 1 min is the best way to assess a newborn's heart rate as it provides an accurate and reliable measurement.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Heart rate 136/min is a normal finding for a newborn. The normal range of heart rate for a newborn is 100 to 160/min.
B. Nasal flaring is an abnormal finding for a newborn. Nasal flaring indicates respiratory distress and may be caused by conditions such as pneumonia, meconium aspiration, or congenital heart defects.
C. Transient strabismus is a normal finding for a newborn. Transient strabismus is a temporary misalignment of the eyes that occurs due to weak eye muscles and poor coordination. It usually resolves by 3 to 6 months of age.
D. Overlapping of sutures is a normal finding for a newborn. Overlapping of sutures is caused by molding of the skull during delivery and allows the head to fit through the birth canal. It usually resolves within a few days after birth.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Correct. Designating a health care surrogate is one of the components of an advance directive, which allows the client to appoint someone who can make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so themselves.
B. Incorrect. Age is not a factor that determines the need for an advance directive, as anyone can become incapacitated at any time due to illness or injury.
C. Incorrect. A lawyer's help is not necessary to draw up an advance directive, as there are standardized forms available that can be filled out by the client and witnessed by two adults.
D. Incorrect. The family cannot alter or override the advance directives of the client unless they have been designated as their health care surrogate or have obtained a court order to do so.
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