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After breastfeeding for 10 minutes on each breast, a new mother calls the nurse to the postpartum room to assist with changing the newborn’s diaper.
As the mother begins the diaper change, the newborn regurgitates the breast milk. What should be the nurse’s first action?

Clean up the spit-up and assist the mother with the diaper change.

Position the newborn on the side and suction the mouth and nares with a bulb syringe.

Position the newborn with the head lower than the feet.

Sit the newborn upright and burp by gently rubbing or patting the upper back.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Answer: D. Sit the newborn upright and burp by gently rubbing or patting the upper back.

Rationale:

Choice A: Clean up the spit-up and assist the mother with the diaper change is not the first priority. While cleaning is important, ensuring the baby's airway is clear and preventing aspiration (inhaling vomit into the lungs) is more critical.
Choice B: Position the newborn on the side and suction the mouth and nares with a bulb syringe is only necessary if the baby shows signs of respiratory distress, such as coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Unless aspiration is suspected, suctioning can irritate the nasal passages and worsen the situation.
Choice C: Position the newborn with the head lower than the feet can actually increase the risk of aspiration. Fluids can pool in the back of the throat and be more easily inhaled.
Choice D: Sit the newborn upright and burp by gently rubbing or patting the upper back is the most appropriate first action. This position helps bring up any air swallowed during feeding, reducing the likelihood of spitting up. Gently rubbing or patting the back encourages the burp reflex.

Additional Notes:

After burping the baby, the nurse can assess the amount of spit-up and clean the baby and surrounding area as needed.
If the baby shows signs of respiratory distress after burping, suctioning may be necessary. However, this should only be done by a healthcare professional.
If the spitting up is frequent or forceful, the nurse should consult with a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While nausea and vomiting can occur in the postpartum period, they are not the highest priority for a client with a history of rheumatic fever and heart damage. These symptoms are usually self-limiting and can be managed with antiemetics.

Choice B rationale

Fluid volume excess is the highest priority for a client with a history of rheumatic fever and heart damage. Rheumatic heart disease can result in impaired heart function, making it difficult for the heart to handle increased fluid volumes that occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This can lead to heart failure.

Choice C rationale

While sleep deprivation can occur in the postpartum period, it is not the highest priority for a client with a history of rheumatic fever and heart damage. Adequate rest is important for recovery, but it does not directly address the client’s risk of heart failure.

Choice D rationale

While infection is a concern in the postpartum period, it is not the highest priority for a client with a history of rheumatic fever and heart damage. While infection can exacerbate heart failure, the immediate concern is managing the client’s fluid volume to prevent heart failure.

A. Insert a straight urinary catheter to drain the bladder. B. Scan the bladder for urinary retention. C. Test the fluid with a nitrazine strip. D. Palpate the suprapubic area for fetal head position.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Inserting a straight urinary catheter to drain the bladder is not the appropriate technique to evaluate fluid leakage in a pregnant woman. This procedure is invasive and can potentially introduce bacteria into the urinary tract, leading to infection.

Choice B rationale

Scanning the bladder for urinary retention is not the appropriate technique to evaluate fluid leakage in a pregnant woman. While ultrasound can be used to assess the amount of fluid in the bladder, it does not provide information about the nature of the fluid leakage.

Choice C rationale

Testing the fluid with a nitrazine strip is the appropriate technique to evaluate fluid leakage in a pregnant woman. Amniotic fluid has a higher pH than normal vaginal secretions and urine, and will turn a nitrazine strip blue. This test can help determine whether the fluid leakage is amniotic fluid, which could indicate rupture of membranes.

Choice D rationale

Palpating the suprapubic area for fetal head position is not the appropriate technique to evaluate fluid leakage in a pregnant woman. While this can provide information about the position of the fetus, it does not provide information about the nature of the fluid leakage.

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After breastfeeding for 10 minutes on each breast, a new mother calls the nurse to the postpartum room to assist with changing the newborn’s diaper. As the mother begins the diaper change, the newborn regurgitates the breast milk. What should be the nurse’s first action?

Answer: D. Sit the newborn upright and burp by gently rubbing or patting the upper back.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

During a routine prenatal health assessment for a client in her third trimester, the client reports that she had fluid leakage on her way to the appointment.Which technique should the nurse implement to evaluate the leakage?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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After breastfeeding for 10 minutes on each breast, a new mother calls the nurse to the postpartum room to assist with changing the newborn’s diaper.
As the mother begins the diaper change, the newborn regurgitates the breast milk. What should be the nurse’s first action?