The parents of a newborn who is being treated for bacterial septicemia ask the nurse why their baby didn't seem very ill. The best response of the nurse is:
Select one:

"You would have seen more symptoms if you had been looking more closely at your baby."

"A newborn's immune system isn't mature, so symptoms are subtle and can be hard to recognize."

"A high fever will always be present in sick newborns, including your baby."

"A mother's immunity usually protects the infant from illness, but not in this case."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A Reason: "You would have seen more symptoms if you had been looking more closely at your baby." This is an inappropriate response that blames the parents for missing the signs of sepsis and does not explain the Reason for the subtle symptoms.

Choice B Reason: "A newborn's immune system isn't mature, so symptoms are subtle and can be hard to recognize." This is an appropriate response that educates the parents about the immunological basis of sepsis in newborns and reassures them that they are not at fault for not noticing the symptoms.

Choice C Reason: "A high fever will always be present in sick newborns, including your baby." This is an incorrect response that contradicts the fact that newborns may not develop fever in response to infection due to their immature immune systems.

Choice D Reason: "A mother's immunity usually protects the infant from illness, but not in this case." This is an inaccurate response that implies that the mother failed to provide adequate immunity to her baby and does not address the question of why the baby did not seem very ill.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Hyperglycemia and increased appetite. This is an incorrect answer that describes symptoms of diabetes mellitus, not sepsis. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder where the body cannot produce or use insulin eﬀectively, which results in high blood glucose levels and impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes mellitus can aﬀect newborns if the mother has pre-existing or gestational diabetes, which can cause macrosomia, hypoglycemia, or congenital anomalies.

Choice B Reason: Increased urinary output and spitting up mucous. This is an incorrect answer that indicates normal or benign conditions, not sepsis. Increased urinary output is a normal finding in newborns, as they eliminate the excess ﬂuid that was accumulated during pregnancy. Spitting up mucous is a common occurrence in newborns, as they clear their airways of amniotic ﬂuid or secretions.

Choice C Reason: Wakefulness and ruddy appearance. This is an incorrect answer that suggests healthy or normal characteristics, not sepsis. Wakefulness is a sign of alertness and responsiveness in newborns, which reﬂects their neurological development and adaptation. Ruddy appearance is a reddish color of the skin that is normal in newborns, especially in term or post-term infants, which indicates adequate oxygenation and hemoglobin levels.

Choice D Reason: Temperature instability and lethargy. This is because temperature instability and lethargy are common signs of sepsis in newborns, which indicate systemic infection and inﬂammation. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition where the body's response to infection causes tissue damage, organ failure, or death. Sepsis can occur in newborns due to maternal, fetal, or neonatal factors, such as chorioamnionitis, premature rupture of membranes, prolonged labor, invasive procedures, or bacterial colonization.

A. Applying Vaseline or lotion to newborn to maximize light absorption. B. Reducing the amount of ﬂuid intake to 8 ounces daily. C. Keeping the newborn in the supine position. D. Feeding every 3 hours to maximize intake of ﬂuids and output.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Applying Vaseline or lotion to newborn to maximize light absorption. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a contraindicated and harmful intervention that can interfere with phototherapy. Applying Vaseline or lotion to newborn can create a barrier or a reﬂective surface that can reduce the exposure and penetration of light to the skin, which can decrease the efficacy of phototherapy. Applying Vaseline or lotion to newborn can also cause skin irritation, infection, or burns, as it can trap heat and moisture under the light source.

Choice B Reason: Reducing the amount of ﬂuid intake to 8 ounces daily. This is an incorrect answer that suggests a detrimental and dangerous intervention that can impair phototherapy. Reducing the amount of ﬂuid intake to 8 ounces daily can cause dehydration, hypoglycemia, or electrolyte imbalance in newborns, which can worsen jaundice and increase the risk of complications such as kernicterus (brain damage due to high bilirubin levels). Reducing the amount of ﬂuid intake to 8 ounces daily can also decrease the excretion of bilirubin through urine or stool, which can counteract the eﬀect of phototherapy.

Choice C Reason: Keeping the newborn in the supine position. This is an incorrect answer that implies an incomplete and inadequate intervention that can limit phototherapy. Keeping the newborn in the supine position is a nursing action that involves placing the newborn on their back, which can expose their anterior body surface to light.

However, keeping the newborn in the supine position alone is not sufficient for phototherapy, as it does not expose their posterior body surface to light. The nurse should also reposition the newborn frequently to expose diﬀerent body parts to light, such as their sides or abdomen.

Choice D Reason: Feeding every 3 hours to maximize intake of ﬂuids and output. This is because feeding every 3 hours is a nursing intervention that can enhance the eﬀectiveness and safety of phototherapy, which is a treatment that uses blue or white light to reduce the level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells are broken down, which can cause jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes) if it accumulates in excess. Phototherapy works by converting bilirubin into a water-soluble form that can be excreted through urine or stool. Feeding every 3 hours can increase the intake of ﬂuids and calories, which can promote hydration, nutrition, and elimination of bilirubin.

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The parents of a newborn who is being treated for bacterial septicemia ask the nurse why their baby didn't seem very ill. The best response of the nurse is: Select one:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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The parents of a newborn who is being treated for bacterial septicemia ask the nurse why their baby didn't seem very ill. The best response of the nurse is:
Select one: