A nurse is evaluating a preterm infant who has patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the condition is improving?
Decreased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Decreased respiratory rate
Increased oxygen saturation.
The Correct Answer is D
Increased oxygen saturation. This indicates that the condition is improving because it means that the blood is getting more oxygen in the lungs and less blood is shunting from the aorta to the pulmonary artery through the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
Choice A is wrong because decreased heart rate can be a sign of hypoxia, acidosis, or heart failure, which are complications of PDA.
Choice B is wrong because increased blood pressure can be a sign of increased systemic vascular resistance, which can result from decreased tissue perfusion due to PDA.
Choice C is wrong because decreased respiratory rate can be a sign of respiratory depression, which can be caused by some medications used to treat PDA, such as indomethacin or ibuprofen.
Normal ranges for oxygen saturation in preterm infants are between 88% and 95%.
Normal ranges for heart rate in preterm infants are between 120 and 160 beats per minute.
Normal ranges for blood pressure in preterm infants depend on gestational age and weight.
Normal ranges for respiratory rate in preterm infants are between 40 and 60 breaths per minute.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This is because phototherapy can damage the baby’s eyes and cause retinal injury.Eye pads should be used to protect the baby’s eyes from the light and should be removed every 4 hours to check for infection or injury.
Choice B is wrong because turning the lights off for ten minutes every hour would reduce the effectiveness of phototherapy and prolong the treatment time.Phototherapy aims to expose the baby’s skin to as much light as possible.
Choice C is wrong because clothing the baby in a shirt and diaper only would limit the amount of skin exposed to the light.The baby should be naked or wear only a diaper during phototherapy.
Choice D is wrong because tightly swaddling the baby in a baby blanket would also limit the amount of skin exposed to the light and increase the risk of overheating.The baby should be loosely wrapped or uncovered during phototherapy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Phototherapy is a treatment that uses light to break down bilirubin in the blood and make it easier for the liver to eliminate it.
Phototherapy is effective when:
• The bilirubin levels decrease within 24 hours of treatment.
This means that the bilirubin is being cleared faster than it is being produced.
• The urine output and stool frequency increase during treatment.
This means that the bilirubin is being excreted through the kidneys and intestines.
• The skin color and muscle tone improve after treatment.
This means that the bilirubin is no longer causing jaundice or affecting the nervous system.
Statement A is wrong because it only describes one aspect of phototherapy effectiveness.
Statement B is wrong because it only describes another aspect of phototherapy effectiveness.
Statement C is wrong because it only describes the outcome of phototherapy effectiveness.
Statement D is correct because it includes all three aspects of phototherapy effectiveness.
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