A nurse is conducting discharge and teaches parents about the care of their infant after cardiac surgery.
The nurse instructs the parents to notify the physician if the conditions occur. (Select all that apply.)
Respiratory rate of 36 breaths/minute at rest
Appetite slowly increasing
Temperature above 37.7° C (100° F)
New, frequent coughing
Turning blue or bluer than normal
Correct Answer : C,D,E
The parents should notify the physician if the infant has a temperature above 37.7° C (100° F), new frequent coughing, or turning blue or bluer
than normal. These are signs of infection, respiratory distress, or cyanosis, which could indicate complications after cardiac surgery.
Choice A is wrong because a respiratory rate of 36 breaths/minute at rest is within the normal range for an infant.
Choice B is wrong because an appetite slowly increasing is a positive sign of recovery and does not require immediate attention.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This pattern is called periodic breathing and it is characterized by 5 to 10 seconds of respiratory pauses followed by 10 to 15 seconds of compensatory rapid respiration. It is a normal phenomenon that occurs primarily in premature infants of more than 24 hours of age. It is usually not of pathologic significance and does not require intervention.
Choice A is wrong because sleep or wakeful apnea is defined as a cessation of breathing for more than 20 seconds or less than 20 seconds with bradycardia or cyanosis.
Choice B is wrong because severe swings in blood pressure are not associated with periodic breathing, but rather with intraventricular hemorrhage or patent ductus arteriosus.
Choice C is wrong because trying to maintain a neutral thermal environment does not affect the respiratory pattern of premature infants.
Normal ranges for respiratory rate in premature infants are 40 to 60 breaths per minute. Normal ranges for oxygen saturation in premature infants are 88% to 92%.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Drying the baby after birth and wrapping the baby in a dry blanket
This prevents evaporative heat loss, which occurs when water on the skin surface evaporates and cools the skin. Evaporative heat loss is especially significant in newborns because they are wet at birth and have a large surface area relative to their body mass.
Choice B is wrong because it addresses convective heat loss, which occurs when air currents blow over the skin and carry away heat.
Convective heat loss can be prevented by keeping the baby out of drafts and away from air conditioners.
Choice C is wrong because it addresses radiant heat loss, which occurs when heat radiates from the skin to cooler objects in the environment.
Radiant heat loss can be prevented by placing the baby away from the outside wall and the windows.
Choice D is wrong because it addresses conductive heat loss, which occurs when heat transfers from the skin to cooler objects in contact with the skin.
Conductive heat loss can be prevented by warming the stethoscope and the nurse’s hands before touching the baby.
Normal body temperature for a newborn is 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F).
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