A premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome receives artificial surfactant. How would the nurse explain surfactant therapy to the parents?
“Surfactant improves the ability of your baby’s lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.”.
“The drug keeps your baby from requiring too much sedation.”.
“Surfactant is used to reduce episodes of periodic apnea.”.
“Your baby needs this medication to fight a possible respiratory tract infection.”.
The Correct Answer is A
choice A. Surfactant improves the ability of your baby’s lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Surfactant is a substance that coats the inner surface of the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
It reduces the surface tension of the alveoli and prevents them from collapsing during exhalation.
Premature infants often lack enough surfactant, which leads to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Artificial surfactant is given to these infants to help them breathe more easily. Choice B is wrong because surfactant has nothing to do with sedation.
Sedation is a state of reduced consciousness induced by drugs. Surfactant does not affect the level of consciousness of the infant.
Choice C is wrong because surfactant is not used to reduce episodes of periodic apnea.
Periodic apnea is a condition where the infant stops breathing for a short time, usually due to immature brainstem function.
Surfactant does not affect the brainstem or the control of breathing.
Choice D is wrong because surfactant is not used to fight a possible respiratory tract infection. Surfactant does not have any antibacterial or antiviral properties.
Surfactant is used to treat RDS, which is caused by a lack of surfactant, not by an infection.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Placing eye shields over the newborn’s closed eyes. This is because phototherapy can cause eye damage and irritation to the newborn, so eye protection is essential.
Choice A is wrong because oil-based lotion can increase the absorption of heat and cause burns to the newborn’s skin.
Choice B is wrong because limiting the newborn’s intake of milk can cause dehydration and increase the risk of hyperbilirubinemia.
Choice D is wrong because changing the newborn’s position every 4 hours is not frequent enough to prevent pressure ulcers and ensure even exposure to the light.
Normal ranges for bilirubin levels in newborns are 1 to 12 mg/dL for term infants and 3 to 14 mg/dL for preterm infants. Phototherapy is usually indicated when the bilirubin level exceeds 15 mg/dL for term infants and 10 mg/dL for preterm infants.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Digoxin is a medication that helps improve the pumping function of the heart and reduces fluid retention in the lungs and other tissues. It is commonly used to treat congestive heart failure in infants.
Choice A is wrong because weighing the infant every day on the same scale at the same time is a way to monitor fluid balance, not an intervention to treat excess fluid volume.
Choice B is wrong because notifying the physician when weight gain exceeds more than 20 g/day is also a monitoring measure, not an intervention. Moreover, weight gain may not accurately reflect fluid volume status in some patients with heart failure due to poor nutrition and decreased appetite.
Choice C is wrong because putting the infant in a car seat to minimize movement may worsen the respiratory distress and increase the workload of the heart. The infant should be positioned in a semi-Fowler’s or Fowler’s position to facilitate breathing and reduce venous return.
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