A nurse observes that a newborn has a pink trunk and head, bluish hands and feet, and flexed extremities 5 min after delivery. He has a weak and
slow cry, a heart rate of 130/min, and cries in response to suctioning. The nurse should document what Apgar score for this infant?
The Correct Answer is ["8"]
In the scenario provided, the Apgar score is calculated as follows:
- Appearance (skin color): The newborn has a pink trunk and head with bluish hands and feet, which scores 1 point.
- Pulse (heart rate): The heart rate is 130/min, which is above 100/min, so this scores 2 points.
- Grimace response (reflex irritability): The newborn cries in response to suctioning, which scores 2 points.
- Activity (muscle tone): The newborn has flexed extremities, which scores 2 points.
- Respiration (breathing effort): The cry is weak and slow, which scores 1 point.
Adding these up gives us a total Apgar score of 8 out of a possible 10 points.
Appearance (skin color): Normally, a score of 2 is given if the entire body is pink, 1 for pink body but blue extremities, and 0 if the whole body is pale or blue. The newborn's pink trunk and head with bluish hands and feet warrant a score of 1.
Pulse (heart rate): A score of 2 is given for a heart rate above 100/min, 1 for below 100/min, and 0 if there is no heartbeat. The newborn's heart rate of 130/min earns a score of 2.
Grimace response (reflex irritability): A score of 2 is given for a sneeze, cough, or vigorous cry, 1 for a grimace or feeble cry upon stimulation, and 0 for no response. The newborn's crying in response to suctioning gets a score of 2.
Activity (muscle tone): A score of 2 is given for active motion, 1 for some muscle tone and flexion of extremities, and 0 for limpness. The newborn's flexed extremities give a score of 2.
Respiration (breathing effort): A score of 2 is given for a good, strong cry, 1 for slow or irregular breathing, and 0 for no breathing. The newborn's weak and slow cry results in a score of 1.
The Apgar score helps the healthcare team decide if the newborn needs immediate medical care. A score of 7-10 is generally normal, 4-6 fairly low, and 3 and below critically low. An Apgar score of 8 indicates that the newborn is in good health but may need some medical attention, likely due to the weak and slow cry.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Administering oxygen via face mask is a common intervention for late decelerations; however, it is not the first-line action. Oxygen is given to improve fetal oxygenation, but repositioning the mother has a more immediate effect on improving uteroplacental blood flow and, consequently, fetal oxygenation12.
Choice B reason:
Increasing the infusion rate of IV fluid is an intervention used to expand maternal blood volume, which can improve placental perfusion. However, this is not the primary action to be taken when late decelerations are noted, as it may take time for the increased fluid to affect the uteroplacental circulation.
Choice C reason:
Elevating the client’s legs can help increase venous return to the heart, potentially improving uteroplacental circulation. Nonetheless, this is not the most immediate action to take for late decelerations, as it does not directly address the potential compression of the vena cava or aorta.
Choice D reason:
Positioning the client on her side, particularly the left side, is the priority nursing action for late decelerations. This position helps relieve pressure on the inferior vena cava, enhancing maternal cardiac output and increasing blood flow to the placenta, which can quickly improve fetal oxygenation and resolve late decelerations
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice a reason:
Slightly below the umbilicus is not the expected location for the fundus at 22 weeks of gestation. Typically, the fundus is located at the level of the umbilicus at 20 weeks and rises about 1 cm above the umbilicus each week thereafter.
Choice b reason:
3 cm above the umbilicus would be more consistent with a gestational age of approximately 23 weeks, as the fundus rises approximately 1 cm per week after reaching the level of the umbilicus at 20 weeks.
Choice C rationale: At 22 weeks of gestation, the fundus is typically located slightly above the umbilicus. The uterus has grown sufficiently by this stage to reach this position, aligning with the expected fundal height measurements. This corresponds with normal pregnancy progression, as fundal height in centimeters is expected to approximate the gestational age in weeks.
Choice D rationale: By 22 weeks of gestation, the fundus has already risen above the umbilicus, so palpating the fundus 3 cm below the umbilicus is inconsistent with normal pregnancy progression. Earlier in pregnancy, such as around 16 to 18 weeks, the fundus might be found below the umbilicus, but this does not apply at 22 weeks.
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