The nurse's initial action when caring for an otherwise stable, full term infant with a slightly decreased temperature is to:
Select one:
Place the infant skin to skin with the mother and re-check temperature in 30 minutes.
Check the infant's CBC and blood cultures, as this is a sign of probable sepsis.
Return the infant to the nursery for close observation under warming lights.
Notify the physician immediately and suggest orders for placement in an incubator.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason: Place the infant skin to skin with the mother and re-check temperature in 30 minutes. This is because skin-to-skin contact is an effective and safe method of increasing the infant's temperature and promoting thermoregulation. Skin-to-skin contact also has other benefits such as enhancing bonding, breastfeeding, and maternal-infant attachment.
Choice B Reason: Check the infant's CBC and blood cultures, as this is a sign of probable sepsis. This is an unnecessary action that may cause undue stress and discomfort to the infant and the mother. A slightly decreased temperature in a full-term infant is not a sign of probable sepsis, but rather a common finding that may be due to environmental factors, such as exposure to cold air or wet linens.
Choice C Reason: Return the infant to the nursery for close observation under warming lights. This is an undesirable action that may interfere with the early initiation of breastfeeding and bonding between the mother and the infant. Warming lights are not recommended for routine use in healthy newborns, as they may cause dehydration, hyperthermia, or eye damage.
Choice D Reason: Notify the physician immediately and suggest orders for placement in an incubator. This is an excessive action that may indicate a lack of knowledge or confidence on the part of the nurse. An incubator is not indicated for a stable, full term infant with a slightly decreased temperature, as it may expose the infant to unnecessary interventions, infections, or separation from the mother.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: "My baby will always be smaller than other babies his age." This is an incorrect answer that indicates a misconception or pessimism about SGA newborns. SGA newborns may not always be smaller than other babies their age, as they may catch up in growth and development with appropriate nutrition and care. SGA newborns may have different growth paterns depending on the cause and timing of their growth restriction.
Choice B Reason: "My baby will be okay as long as he has frequent feedings." This is an incorrect answer that indicates an oversimplification or optimism about SGA newborns. SGA newborns may not be okay with just frequent feedings, as they may have other problems or complications that require medical atention and intervention. SGA newborns may have increased nutritional needs and feeding difficulties due to low birth weight, poor suck-swallow coordination, or oral aversion.
Choice C Reason: "My baby will need to stay in the hospital until he weighs 5 pounds." This is an incorrect answer that indicates a misunderstanding or confusion about SGA newborns. SGA newborns may not need to stay in the hospital until they weigh 5 pounds, as they may be discharged earlier or later depending on their condition and readiness for home care. SGA newborns may have different criteria for discharge based on their gestational age, weight gain, feeding tolerance, temperature stability, and absence of complications.
Choice D Reason: "My baby can get cold easily, may have low blood sugar, and may have trouble breathing." This is because this statement by the parents indicates that they understand some of the common problems and complications that SGA newborns may face. SGA newborns are those who weigh less than the 10th percentile for their gestational age, which can be due to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or constitutional factors. SGA newborns may have difficulties with thermoregulation, glucose metabolism, and respiratory function due to inadequate fat stores, glycogen reserves, and surfactant production.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Late decelerations. This is an incorrect answer that refers to a different type of fetal heart rate patern that indicates uteroplacental insufficiency, which can reduce blood flow and oxygen delivery to the fetus. Late decelerations are characterized by gradual decreases in fetal heart rate that begin after the peak of uterine contractions and return to baseline after the end of contractions. Amnioinfusion is not effective for late decelerations, as it does not address the underlying cause of uteroplacental insufficiency, which may be due to maternal hypertension, diabetes, preeclampsia, or placental abruption.
Choice B Reason: Moderate decelerations. This is an incorrect answer that refers to a non-existent type of fetal heart rate patern, as there is no such term as moderate decelerations. The term moderate refers to the category of fetal heart rate variability, which is a measure of the fluctuations in fetal heart rate around the baseline. Moderate variability indicates normal fetal oxygenation and well-being, while absent or minimal variability indicates fetal hypoxia or distress.
Choice C Reason: Variable decelerations. This is because variable decelerations are a type of fetal heart rate patern that indicates cord compression, which can reduce blood flow and oxygen delivery to the fetus. Variable decelerations are characterized by abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate that vary in onset, depth, and duration, and do not have a consistent relationship with uterine contractions. Amnioinfusion is a procedure that involves infusing saline or lactated Ringer's solution into the amniotic cavity through a transcervical catheter, which can relieve cord compression by increasing the volume of amniotic fluid and cushioning the cord. Amnioinfusion can improve fetal oxygenation and reduce variable decelerations.
Choice D Reason: Early decelerations. This is an incorrect answer that refers to a different type of fetal heart rate patern that indicates head compression, which can stimulate the vagus nerve and slow down the fetal heart rate. Early decelerations are characterized by gradual decreases in fetal heart rate that begin with the onset of uterine contractions and return to baseline with the end of contractions. Early decelerations are benign and do not require intervention, as they reflect normal fetal head descent and progress of labor. Amnioinfusion is not indicated for early decelerations, as it does not affect head compression or vagal stimulation.

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