A nurse is performing a heel stick on a newborn. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Puncture the heel on the inner aspect of the foot.
Use an automatic puncture device on the heel.
Cleanse the newborn's heel with an alcohol swab after the procedure.
Place an ice pack on the newborn's heel 5 min before the procedure.
The Correct Answer is B
“Use an automatic puncture device on the heel.” This is the most common and minimally invasive method to draw capillary blood from an infant for medical testing.
Choice A is incorrect because the heel should be punctured on the outer aspect of the foot to avoid damaging the calcaneus bone.
Choice C is incorrect because the heel should be cleansed with an alcohol swab
before, not after, the procedure.
Choice D is incorrect because there is no need to place an ice pack on the newborn’s heel before the procedure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Bathing the newborn before initiating skin-to-skin contact is an action that the nurse should include in the plan of care for a client who is pregnant and has HIV.
Choice A is incorrect because using a fetal scalp electrode during labor and delivery is not mentioned as an action that should be included in the plan of care for a client who is pregnant and has HIV in my sources.
Choice C is incorrect because instructing the client to stop taking antiretroviral medications at 32 weeks of gestation is not mentioned as an action that should be included in the plan of care for a client who is pregnant and has HIV in my sources.
Choice D is incorrect because administering a pneumococcal immunization to the newborn within 4 hours following birth is not mentioned as an action that should be included in the plan of care for a client who is pregnant and has HIV in my sources.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can result in dehydration, weight loss, and ketosis.
Clinicians suspect hyperemesis gravidarum based on symptoms and can support the diagnosis by measuring urine ketones.
Choice A, Rapid plasma reagin, is a blood test used to screen for syphilis.
Choice B, Prothrombin time, is a blood test that measures how long it takes for blood to clot.
Choice D, Urine culture, may be indicated because urinary tract infection is common in pregnancy and can be associated with nausea and vomiting.
However, urine ketones would be a more specific test for hyperemesis gravidarum.
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