The mother of a 4-month-old infant, born prematurely, asks the nurse if her daughter will always be small for her age. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
"Prematurity is associated with short stature but does not affect weight gain."
"It takes about two years for the preterm infant to catch up to a full-term infant."
"Your daughter will be the same size as other children by the time she is 1 year old."
"Preterm infants usually remain smaller than term infants throughout childhood."
The Correct Answer is B
A. Prematurity is associated with short stature but does not affect weight gain: Prematurity can affect both weight and length initially. Suggesting that only stature is affected is inaccurate, as growth involves multiple parameters and catch-up occurs over time.
B. It takes about two years for the preterm infant to catch up to a full-term infant: Preterm infants often require 18–24 months to reach growth parameters similar to those of full-term peers. Corrected age is used to assess developmental and growth milestones, and most preterm infants achieve catch-up growth within this timeframe.
C. Your daughter will be the same size as other children by the time she is 1 year old: While some preterm infants grow rapidly, many require more than one year to reach the size of full-term peers. Providing a one-year timeline may create unrealistic expectations.
D. Preterm infants usually remain smaller than term infants throughout childhood: Most preterm infants experience catch-up growth by age two, so they do not typically remain smaller throughout childhood.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. There is a small pink patch on the left eyelid and one on the neck: Small pink patches, such as nevus simplex (stork bites), are common in newborns and typically fade without intervention. These are benign and do not require prompt reporting.
B. Skin is peeling on several parts of the infant's body: Skin peeling is common in full-term newborns during the first week of life due to shedding of the outer epidermis. It is a normal finding and does not usually indicate illness.
C. Today, the infant's skin has a yellowish tinge: Jaundice appearing or intensifying at 4 days of age can indicate hyperbilirubinemia that may require evaluation and treatment. Prompt reporting is necessary to prevent complications such as kernicterus.
D. The hands and feet feel cooler than the rest of the body: Peripheral coolness is common in newborns due to immature circulation and is typically not a sign of serious illness unless accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy or central cyanosis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Wear a disposable gown when giving infant care: Gowns may be worn in certain situations, such as contact precautions, but routine use for all infants is not necessary for infection prevention. Proper hand hygiene is more effective in preventing pathogen transmission.
B. Wash hands before touching each infant: Hand hygiene is the single most important action to prevent the spread of infection in the nursery. Washing hands before contact with each newborn reduces the risk of introducing bacteria or viruses to vulnerable infants.
C. Adjust room temperature between 23.8°C (75°F) and 26.6°C (80°F): Maintaining a thermoneutral environment supports the newborn’s temperature regulation but does not directly prevent infection.
D. Keep the newborn dressed warmly: Proper clothing helps maintain body temperature but does not provide protection against infectious agents. Infection prevention relies on hygiene and minimizing exposure to pathogens.
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