A nurse is assessing a post-term newborn who has oligohydramnios.

What is the main complication associated with this condition?

The newborn experienced fetal distress.Meconium staining is often caused by fetal hypoxia or other physiologic stress that triggers the fetus to pass meconium into the amniotic fluid before delivery.If the fetus aspirates the meconium, it can cause lung injury and respiratory distress, termed meconium aspiration syndrome.

Choice A is wrong because a bowel obstruction would not cause meconium staining of the nails and umbilical cord.

Choice B is wrong because a congenital anomaly would not necessarily cause meconium passage or staining.

Choice D is wrong because an infection may cause fetal distress, but it is not the direct cause of meconium staining.Meconium staining may be a sign of infection in the newborn.

Oligohydramnios is a condition where there is too little amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus.

This can cause the umbilical cord to become compressed by the fetal body parts or the uterine wall, reducing blood flow and oxygen to the fetus.

This can lead to fetal distress, hypoxia, and acidosis.

Choice B is wrong because fetal malposition is not directly caused by oligohydramnios.

Fetal malposition is when the fetus is in an abnormal position for delivery, such as breech, transverse, or face presentation.

This can increase the risk of complications during labor and delivery, such as cord prolapse, dystocia, or birth trauma.

Choice C is wrong because placental abruption is not directly caused by oligohydramnios.

Placental abruption is when the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery, causing bleeding and reduced blood flow to the fetus.

This can be triggered by trauma, hypertension, or cocaine use.

Choice D is wrong because premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is not directly caused by oligohydramnios.

PROM is when the amniotic sac breaks before the onset of labor, causing leakage of fluid and increased risk of infection.

This can be caused by infection, cervical incompetence, or mechanical factors.