Choice A rationale

Administering Vitamin K is an important step in newborn care as it helps with blood clotting and prevents a rare but serious bleeding disorder called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding.

However, it is not the immediate priority after ensuring a patent airway.

Choice B rationale

Administering eye prophylaxis, typically in the form of antibiotic ointment, is a standard procedure in newborn care to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis. However, this is not the immediate priority after ensuring a patent airway.

Choice C rationale

Placing an identification bracelet on the newborn is crucial for ensuring the baby’s safety and preventing mix-ups. However, this is not the immediate priority after ensuring a patent airway.

Choice D rationale

Drying the skin of the newborn is the priority action after ensuring a patent airway. This is because newborns are wet with amniotic fluid at birth, and they can lose heat quickly through evaporation if not dried immediately. This can lead to hypothermia, which can be dangerous for the newborn.

Choice A rationale

While providing age-appropriate stimulation is important for all newborns, it is not the priority nursing goal in caring for a newborn with a myelomeningocele awaiting surgery.

Choice B rationale

Educating the parents about the defect is an important part of care, but it is not the priority nursing goal. The immediate physical needs of the newborn take precedence.

Choice C rationale

This is the correct answer. The sac covering the exposed neural tissue must be carefully protected to prevent infection and further damage. Therefore, maintaining the integrity of the sac is the priority nursing goal.

Choice D rationale

Promoting maternal-infant bonding is important, but it is not the priority nursing goal in caring for a newborn with a myelomeningocele awaiting surgery.