The Mother-Baby nurse is caring for a two hour old newborn who is 36 4/7 weeks gestation. The nurse assesses that the newborn is experiencing tremors (jiteriness). What nursing action has the highest priority?
Select one:

Obtain a bilirubin level.

Place a pulse oximeter on the newborn.

Obtain a blood glucose level.

Take the newborn's vital signs.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason: Obtain a bilirubin level. This is an incorrect answer that indicates an irrelevant and unnecessary nursing action for a newborn with tremors or jiteriness. Obtaining a bilirubin level is a nursing action that is indicated for a newborn with jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes), which can occur due to increased bilirubin production or decreased bilirubin excretion. Jaundice does not cause tremors or jiteriness in newborns.

Choice B Reason: Place a pulse oximeter on the newborn. This is an incorrect answer that suggests an inappropriate and insufficient nursing action for a newborn with tremors or jiteriness. Placing a pulse oximeter on the newborn is a nursing action that measures oxygen saturation and heart rate, which can indicate hypoxia (low oxygen level) or distress in newborns. Hypoxia can cause tremors or jiteriness in newborns, but it is not the only or most likely cause. Placing a pulse oximeter on the newborn does not provide enough information to diagnose or treat hypoglycemia.

Choice C Reason: Obtain a blood glucose level. This is because tremors or jiteriness are common signs of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in newborns, which can occur due to various factors such as prematurity, maternal diabetes, infection, or cold stress. Hypoglycemia can cause neurological damage or death if not treated promptly and eﬀectively. Obtaining a blood glucose level is a nursing action that has the highest priority for a newborn with tremors or jiteriness, as it can confirm the diagnosis and guide the treatment.

Choice D Reason: Take the newborn's vital signs. This is an incorrect answer that implies an inadequate and delayed nursing action for a newborn with tremors or jiteriness. Taking the newborn's vital signs is a nursing action that monitors temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, which can indicate general health status and stability in newborns. Taking the newborn's vital signs may reveal signs of hypoglycemia, such as hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, or hypotension, but it is not a specific or definitive test for hypoglycemia. Taking the newborn's vital signs may also waste valuable time that could be used to obtain a blood glucose level and initiate treatment.

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 A Reason: The cheek of the newborn is touched, and the newborn turns toward the side that was touched. This is an incorrect answer that describes a diﬀerent reﬂex called the rooting reﬂex. The rooting reﬂex is a feeding reﬂex that helps the newborn locate the nipple and initiate sucking. The rooting reﬂex is elicited by stroking the cheek or corner of the mouth of the newborn, which causes them to turn their head and open their mouth toward the stimulus.

Choice B Reason: The newborn is suddenly lowered or startled, and they extend their arms, legs and neck, then rapidly bring their arms together. This is because this response describes the Moro reﬂex, which is a primitive reﬂex that is present at birth and disappears by 3 to 6 months of age. The Moro reﬂex is elicited by simulating a falling sensation or a loud noise, which triggers a fear response in the newborn. The Moro reﬂex consists of four phases: extension, abduction, adduction, and crying.

Choice C Reason: The newborn is supine and their head is turned to one side, then the arm on that same side extends. This is an incorrect answer that refers to another reﬂex called the tonic neck reﬂex. The tonic neck reﬂex is a postural reﬂex that helps prepare the newborn for voluntary reaching. The tonic neck reﬂex is elicited by placing the newborn in a supine position and turning their head to one side, which causes them to assume a "fencing" posture with one arm extended and one arm ﬂexed.

Choice D Reason: The lateral aspect of the sole of the newborn's foot is stroked, and the toes extend and fan outward. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a diﬀerent reﬂex called the Babinski reﬂex. The Babinski reﬂex is a neurological reﬂex that tests for spinal cord integrity. The Babinski reﬂex is elicited by stroking the lateral aspect of the sole of the foot from heel to toe, which causes the big toe to dorsiﬂex and the other toes to fan out.

A. "Your body is responding to the events of labor, just like after a tough workout." B. "This could be a sign that your body is trying to get rid of retained placental fragments." C. "Let me check your vaginal discharge just to make sure everything is fine." D. "The baby's sucking releases oxytocin which causes your uterus to contract."

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A Reason: "Your body is responding to the events of labor, just like after a tough workout." This is an inaccurate statement that does not explain the cause of the contractions or reassure the client.

Choice B Reason: "This could be a sign that your body is trying to get rid of retained placental fragments." This is an alarming statement that may scare the client and imply that something is wrong. Retained placental fragments are rare and usually cause heavy bleeding, fever, and infection.

Choice C Reason: "Let me check your vaginal discharge just to make sure everything is fine." This is an unnecessary statement that does not answer the client's question or provide any information.

Choice D Reason:"The baby's sucking releases oxytocin which causes your uterus to contract." This is a correct statement that explains the physiological mechanism of the contractions and reassures the client that they are normal and beneficial.

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

The Mother-Baby nurse is caring for a two hour old newborn who is 36 4/7 weeks gestation. The nurse assesses that the newborn is experiencing tremors (jiteriness). What nursing action has the highest priority? Select one:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is performing a newborn physical assessment and is about to elicit the Moro reﬂex. Which of the following responses should the nurse expect to see? Select one:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client who is breastfeeding her newborn tells the nurse, "I notice that when I feed him, I feel fairly strong contraction-like pain. Labor is over. Why am I having contractions now?" Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate? Select one:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Which of the following would the nurse include in the plan of care for a newborn receiving phototherapy? Select one:

Which of the following would the nurse expect to find in a newborn who is developing sepsis? Select one:

The nurse administers vitamin K intramuscularly as prophylaxis to the newborn based on which of the following rationales? Select one:

On the first prenatal visit, the woman's cervix feels softened upon examination. The nurse records this finding as: Select one:

Why is it important for the nurse to assess the bladder regularly and encourage the laboring client to void every 2 hours? Select one:

Narcotic analgesia is administered to a laboring client at 10:00 a.m. The infant is delivered at 10:35 A.M. The nurse would anticipate that the narcotic analgesia could: Select one:

Obstetrical risks to consider for a pregnant teenager would be all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one:

The nurse assesses a newborn at 36 weeks' gestation, and the following behaviors are noted: nasal ﬂaring, labored breathing, and excessive mucus. The nurse is most concerned about: Select one:

The Mother-Baby nurse is caring for a two hour old newborn who is 36 4/7 weeks gestation. The nurse assesses that the newborn is experiencing tremors (jiteriness). What nursing action has the highest priority?
Select one: