A nurse is caring for a full-term newborn immediately following birth. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Instill erythromycin ophthalmic ointment in the newborn's eyes.
Weigh the newborn.
Place identification bracelets on the newborn.
Dry the newborn.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Instilling erythromycin ophthalmic ointment in the newborn's eyes is important to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, but drying the newborn takes precedence to prevent heat loss and stimulate breathing immediately after birth.
B. Weighing the newborn and placing identification bracelets can be done after drying the newborn.
C. Placing identification bracelets on the newborn is important for identification purposes but does not take precedence over drying the newborn to prevent heat loss and stimulate breathing.
D. Dry the newborn: Drying the newborn is the priority immediately after birth to prevent heat
loss and stimulate breathing. The newborn is wet from amniotic fluid and may be cold due to the temperature difference between the intrauterine and extrauterine environment. Drying the newborn with a warm, soft towel helps to prevent hypothermia and promotes the initiation of breathing, which is essential for oxygenation and lung expansion. This action supports the
newborn's transition to extrauterine life and sets the stage for subsequent assessments and interventions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
- A: A heart rate greater than 60/min indicates that the transcutaneous pacing is effectively maintaining a heart rate within a normal range, which is crucial for adequate cardiac output and systemic perfusion.
- B: While 2+ pedal pulses indicate good peripheral perfusion, they do not directly reflect the effectiveness of transcutaneous pacing in treating complete heart block.
- C: Pacer spikes should appear before the QRS complex to show that the pacing stimulus is being delivered appropriately. Spikes after the QRS complex suggest that the pacing is not capturing the heart effectively.
- D: Distended jugular veins would be more indicative of heart failure or fluid overload and do not directly relate to the effectiveness of pacing therapy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Taking the client to the bathroom after administering a preoperative sedative increases the risk of falls.
B. Surgical site verification should be completed before administering the preoperative medication.
C. Teaching should be done before giving the medication, as the sedative may impair learning and recall.
D. Raising the side rails helps ensure client safety by preventing falls after the medication has been administered.
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