A nurse is caring for a client who is postpartum and has a prescription for Rho (D) Immunoglobulin. The nurse should verify which of the following prior to administration?

A) Dry the infant off and cover the head:

While drying the infant and covering the head are important steps in newborn care to prevent heat loss and maintain thermal regulation, clearing the respiratory tract takes precedence immediately after delivery to ensure adequate breathing and oxygenation.

B) Stimulate the infant to cry:

While it is essential for newborns to establish effective respiratory efforts, stimulating the infant to cry is not the first action indicated after delivery. Crying may naturally occur as a response to the new environment, but it is not a reliable indicator of effective respiratory function.

C) Cut the umbilical cord:

Cutting the umbilical cord is typically done after the initial steps of newborn care, including clearing the respiratory tract. It is important to ensure that the infant is breathing adequately before attending to other tasks such as cord cutting.

D) Clear the respiratory tract:

Clearing the newborn's respiratory tract is the priority action immediately after delivery to ensure that the airway is clear of any amniotic fluid or debris, facilitating effective breathing and oxygenation. This may involve suctioning the mouth and nose as needed to remove any secretions and ensure unobstructed airflow.

A) It destroys Rh antibodies in mothers who are Rh negative:

This statement is incorrect. Rh(D) Immunoglobulin, commonly known as RhoGAM, does not destroy Rh antibodies in mothers who are Rh negative. Instead, it prevents the mother's immune system from producing Rh antibodies against Rh-positive fetal blood cells.

B) It destroys Rh antibodies in newborns who are Rh positive:

This statement is incorrect. Rh(D) Immunoglobulin does not destroy Rh antibodies in newborns. Its purpose is to prevent the formation of Rh antibodies in Rh-negative mothers, thus protecting future pregnancies from hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).

C) It prevents the formation of Rh antibodies in newborns who are Rh positive:

This statement is incorrect. Rh(D) Immunoglobulin does not prevent the formation of Rh antibodies in newborns. It acts by suppressing the mother's immune response to Rh-positive fetal blood cells, thereby preventing the production of Rh antibodies that could harm future pregnancies.

D) It prevents the formation of Rh antibodies in mothers who are Rh negative:

This statement is correct. Rh(D) Immunoglobulin is administered to Rh-negative mothers to prevent the formation of Rh antibodies in response to exposure to Rh-positive fetal blood cells during pregnancy or childbirth. By neutralizing fetal Rh-positive red blood cells in the maternal circulation, it prevents sensitization of the mother's immune system and protects future pregnancies from HDN.