Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (Free-Trial)

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.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice B rationale

When changing a newborn’s diaper, it is recommended to use clear water for cleaning. This is because newborns have sensitive skin, and clear water is gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.

Choice A rationale

Corn starch powder is not typically recommended for use in diaper changes. While it can help absorb moisture, it can also create a paste with the stool that is difficult to clean and can potentially cause skin irritation.

Choice C rationale

Talcum powder is not recommended for use in diaper changes. It can cause respiratory problems if inhaled by the baby.

Choice D rationale

While baby lotion can be used to moisturize a baby’s skin, it is not typically used during diaper changes. It does not have the same cleaning properties as water and can leave a residue on the skin.

A. Administer oxygen via facemask. B. Change the client’s position. C. Turn off the oxytocin infusion. D. Assess cervical dilatation.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Administering oxygen via facemask is a common intervention for variable decelerations, but it is not the first action that should be taken.

Choice B rationale

Changing the client’s position is the recommended first action for variable decelerations. Repositioning the mother, such as moving her to a lateral or knee-chest position, can relieve potential cord compression and improve fetal oxygenation.

Choice C rationale

Turning off the oxytocin infusion is another intervention for variable decelerations, but it is not the first action that should be taken.

Choice D rationale

Assessing cervical dilation is not the first action that should be taken in response to variable decelerations.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

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

A mother inquires about what to use when changing her newborn’s diaper. What should the nurse recommend to this mother?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse observes on the fetal monitor that a laboring client has a variable deceleration. What action should the nurse implement first?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client who is 10-weeks gestation and palpates the fundus at 2 fingerbreadths above the pubic symphysis.The client reports nausea, vomiting, and scant dark brown vaginal discharge. Which action should the nurse take?

What should be the primary focus of nursing care in the transitional phase of labor for a client who anticipates an unmedicated delivery?

A client who is at 10-weeks gestation calls the clinic because she has been vomiting for the past 24 hours. The nurse determines that the client has no fever.What instruction should the nurse give to this client?

A pregnant woman is learning how to perform kick (fetal movement) counts. What should the nurse instruct her to do?

A client with gestational diabetes is scheduled for an amniocentesis due to the fetus weighing an estimated 8 pounds (3629 grams) at 36-weeks gestation.What information is being sought through this amniocentesis?

The nurse is caring for a postpartum client who is experiencing severe pain and a sensation of pressure in her perineum.Her uterus is firm, and she has a moderate flow of lochia.Upon inspection, the nurse discovers that a perineal hematoma is starting to form. What should the nurse assess first?

A client informs the nurse that she believes she is pregnant. Which sign or symptom is the best indicator that the client is pregnant?

A new mother, who is breastfeeding her 4-week-old infant and has type I diabetes, reports that her insulin needs have decreased since the birth of her child.What action should the nurse take?

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?