A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately after birth. Once a patent airway has been ensured, what should be the nurse’s priority action?
Administer Vitamin K
Administer eye prophylaxis
Place an identification bracelet
Dry the skin
The Correct Answer is D
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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Applying lotion to the newborn’s skin during phototherapy is not recommended. Lotion can block the light from reaching the skin and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
Choice B rationale
Covering the newborn’s eyes with a mask during phototherapy is a standard practice. This is done to protect the newborn’s eyes from the intense light used in phototherapy.
Choice C rationale
An increase in stool frequency is expected during phototherapy. This is because phototherapy helps to break down bilirubin, which is then excreted in the stool.
Choice D rationale
A pink rash on the newborn’s trunk does not require intervention during phototherapy. It could be a common newborn rash that will resolve on its own.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
If a client reports feeling down and sad, having no energy, and wanting to cry, the nurse’s priority action should be to ask the client if she has considered harming her newborn. This is because these symptoms may indicate postpartum depression, a serious condition that can lead to harm to both the mother and the baby if left untreated.
Choice B rationale
While reinforcing postpartum and newborn care discharge teaching is important, it is not the priority action in this situation. The client’s emotional health needs to be addressed first.
Choice C rationale
Assisting the family to identify prior use of positive coping skills in family crises can be helpful, but it is not the priority action in this situation. The client’s immediate emotional health needs to be addressed first.
Choice D rationale
Anticipating a prescription by the provider for an antidepressant may be part of the treatment plan for this client, but it is not the priority action. The nurse first needs to assess the safety of the client and her newborn.
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