A nurse is caring for a newborn delivered by vaginal birth after 3 hours of pushing.
The newborn’s mother asks about the swollen area on her son’s head.
After palpation and identification that the swelling does cross the suture line, which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
“This is erythema toxicum, which is a transient condition.”.
“A caput succedaneum occurs due to prolonged pressure of the head against the cervix.”.
“Mongolian spots can be found on the skin of many newborns.”.
“This is a cephalhematoma, which can occur spontaneously.”. .
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Erythema toxicum is a common, benign rash in newborns but does not cause swelling that crosses suture lines.
Choice B rationale
A caput succedaneum is swelling of the scalp that crosses suture lines and is caused by prolonged pressure on the head during delivery.
Choice C rationale
Mongolian spots are benign, flat, congenital birthmarks with wavy borders and irregular shapes, typically found on the lower back and buttocks, not the head.
Choice D rationale
A cephalhematoma is a collection of blood between the skull bone and its periosteum that does not cross suture lines. .
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is []
Explanation
Hyperbilirubinemia
- Symptoms: The neonate does show signs of jaundice (yellowish skin), which is a symptom of hyperbilirubinemia. However, the primary concern here is thelow blood glucose level (30 mg/dL), which is more immediately life-threatening and needs urgent attention.
- Diagnostic Results: The total serum bilirubin level is 5 mg/dL, which is elevated but not critically high. Hyperbilirubinemia might be a secondary concern, but the immediate symptoms and diagnostic results point more towards hypoglycemia.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
- Symptoms: NAS typically occurs in newborns exposed to addictive substances in utero, leading to withdrawal symptoms after birth. Common symptoms include irritability, high-pitched crying, tremors, and feeding difficulties.
- History: There is no mention of maternal substance use or withdrawal symptoms like frequent yawning or irritability. The jitteriness and poor feeding could overlap with NAS, but the history of gestational diabetes and the low blood glucose level make hypoglycemia a more likely diagnosis.
Summary
- Hypoglycemia: The neonate’s symptoms (jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding) and the critically low blood glucose level (30 mg/dL) strongly indicate hypoglycemia. This condition is common in infants of diabetic mothers and large-for-gestational-age infants.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Microcephaly is not typically associated with an increased risk of unconjugated bilirubin and jaundice.
Choice B rationale
Polydactyly is a congenital condition involving extra fingers or toes and is not associated with an increased risk of unconjugated bilirubin and jaundice.
Choice C rationale
Caput succedaneum is a condition involving swelling of the scalp in a newborn and is not typically associated with an increased risk of unconjugated bilirubin and jaundice.
Choice D rationale
Cephalohematoma is a collection of blood between a baby’s scalp and the skull bone. It is associated with an increased risk of unconjugated bilirubin and jaundice due to the breakdown of red blood cells in the hematoma. .
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