A nurse is caring for a client who has just delivered a newborn.
The nurse notices secretions bubbling out of the newborn’s nose and mouth. Which of the following actions should the nurse prioritize?
Turn the newborn on his side.
Suction the mouth with a bulb syringe.
Suction the nose with a bulb syringe.
Use a suction catheter with low negative pressure.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Turning the newborn on his side is a good practice to prevent aspiration, but it is not the first action to take. The newborn’s airway must be clear first to ensure proper breathing.
Choice B rationale
Suctioning the mouth with a bulb syringe is the priority action when a newborn has secretions bubbling out of the nose and mouth. This action helps clear the airway and allows the newborn to breathe more easily.
Choice C rationale
Suctioning the nose with a bulb syringe is also important, but the mouth should be suctioned first. This is because the newborn could aspirate oral secretions during inhalation if the mouth is not suctioned first.
Choice D rationale
Using a suction catheter with low negative pressure is not the first action to take. A bulb syringe is usually sufficient to clear the newborn’s airway of secretions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice C.
Choice A rationale: A respiratory rate of 16/min is within the normal range for an adult and does not indicate immediate concern.
Choice B rationale: A headache can be a symptom of preeclampsia, but it is not as immediate a concern as the other options unless it is severe or accompanied by other symptoms.
Choice C rationale: A urinary output of 40 ml in 2 hours is significantly below the normal range. Oliguria (low urine output) can be a sign of renal impairment and magnesium toxicity, which requires immediate reporting to the healthcare provider.
Choice D rationale: A fetal heart rate of 158/min is within the normal range for a fetus and does not indicate immediate concern.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Preparing for an emergency cesarean birth may be necessary in some cases of preeclampsia, particularly if there are signs of fetal distress or if the condition is not responding to treatment. However, in this scenario, the client’s symptoms are indicative of magnesium toxicity, not worsening preeclampsia.
Choice B rationale
Positioning the client in Trendelenburg (with the head lower than the feet) is not typically used in the management of preeclampsia or magnesium toxicity.
Choice C rationale
Discontinuing the medication infusion is the correct action in this scenario. The client’s symptoms (respiratory rate of 10/min and absent deep-tendon reflexes) are indicative of magnesium toxicity, a potential complication of magnesium sulfate therapy. Magnesium sulfate is used in the management of preeclampsia to prevent seizures, but it can cause toxicity if the levels become too high. If signs of toxicity occur, the infusion should be discontinued immediately.
Choice D rationale
Assessing maternal blood glucose may be necessary in some cases, particularly if the client has a history of diabetes. However, it is not the priority in this scenario, as the client’s symptoms are indicative of magnesium toxicity, not hyperglycemia.
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