The laboratory results for a postpartum woman are as follows:

blood type: A +

rubella: non-immune

hematocrit: 30%

GBS: negative
How would the nurse best interpret these data?

A) Abdominal with synchronous chest movements:
Newborns primarily exhibit abdominal breathing, meaning that the diaphragm does most of the work while the chest movements are less pronounced. This is normal for full-term neonates, and the chest and abdomen move in a synchronous manner as the baby breathes. This pattern is indicative of an immature respiratory system that is still developing, but it is completely normal in the early stages of life.

B) Chest breathing with nasal flaring:
While some chest movement is observed in newborns, the primary pattern of breathing is abdominal. Nasal flaring is generally an abnormal sign in newborns and may indicate respiratory distress, such as when there is an obstruction in the airway or a need for increased oxygen intake. It is not considered a normal, healthy breathing pattern in newborns.

C) Diaphragmatic with chest retraction:
Diaphragmatic breathing is normal, but chest retraction is not. Retractions occur when there is increased effort to breathe, and they typically indicate respiratory distress or obstruction. In a healthy, full-term newborn, retractions should not be present. This type of breathing would require further investigation to rule out conditions like respiratory distress syndrome or infection.

D) Deep with a regular rhythm:
Newborns may have irregular breathing patterns, including periods of apnea (a few seconds without breathing) and slight irregularity in rhythm, especially during sleep. Deep, regular breathing without any irregularities is not typical in a newborn, and any consistent deep breathing would require further observation to rule out any potential underlying issues.

A) Bacteria that synthesize vitamin K are not present in the newborn's intestinal tract:
Newborns are born with a sterile gastrointestinal tract, meaning they do not yet have the intestinal bacteria necessary to synthesize vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for the activation of clotting factors, and without sufficient vitamin K, newborns are at risk for bleeding disorders, particularly a condition known as vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). Administering vitamin K by injection shortly after birth ensures the baby has adequate levels to prevent bleeding.
B) Vitamin K prevents the synthesis of prothrombin in the liver and must be given by injection:
This statement is incorrect. Vitamin K does not prevent the synthesis of prothrombin; rather, it is essential for the liver to synthesize clotting factors, including prothrombin. The injection of vitamin K in newborns is necessary to provide adequate levels of vitamin K to support proper blood clotting, as newborns cannot produce enough on their own at birth due to the absence of gut bacteria that normally produce it.

C) The supply of vitamin K is inadequate for at least 12 months, and the newborn must be supplemented throughout infancy:
While it is true that newborns have a limited supply of vitamin K at birth, this deficiency is typically addressed with a single injection given shortly after birth. Supplementing vitamin K throughout infancy is generally not required, as the infant's gastrointestinal tract will start to develop the necessary bacteria to synthesize vitamin K within the first few weeks to months of life. The first dose of vitamin K prevents bleeding disorders, and in most cases, additional supplementation is not necessary.

D) Most mothers have a diet deficient in vitamin K, which results in the infant being deficient:
While maternal diet does play a role in the newborn's initial vitamin K levels, it is not the primary reason for the deficiency. Vitamin K deficiency in newborns is primarily due to the lack of gut bacteria necessary to produce it, rather than maternal diet. The practice of administering vitamin K to all newborns ensures that they receive adequate levels to prevent bleeding, regardless of maternal dietary intake.