Three hours after birth, a newborn becomes jittery and tachypneic. What should the nurse do first?
Obtain a capillary glucose level.
Feed 30 mL of 10% dextrose in water.
Wrap tightly in a blanket.
Encourage the mother to breastfeed.
None
None
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A: Obtain a capillary glucose level. This is the first action that the nurse should do, as it can diagnose hypoglycemia, which is a low blood sugar level that can cause jitteriness and tachypnea in newborns. Hypoglycemia can be caused by maternal diabetes, prematurity, infection, or delayed feeding. The nurse should check the glucose level using a heel stick and a glucometer.
Choice B: Feed 30 mL of 10% dextrose in water. This is not the first action that the nurse should do, as it may not be appropriate for all newborns with jitteriness and tachypnea. Feeding 10% dextrose in water can raise the blood sugar level, but it may also cause rebound hypoglycemia or fluid overload. The nurse should feed only after confirming hypoglycemia and obtaining a healthcare provider's order.
Choice C: Wrap tightly in a blanket. This is not the first action that the nurse should do, as it may not address the underlying cause of jitteriness and tachypnea in newborns. Wrapping tightly in a blanket can prevent heat loss and conserve energy, but it may also impair breathing or circulation. The nurse should wrap only after ruling out other causes of jitteriness and tachypnea.
Choice D: Encourage the mother to breastfeed. This is not the first action that the nurse should do, as it may not be feasible or effective for all newborns with jitteriness and tachypnea. Breastfeeding can provide nutrition and bonding for newborns, but it may also be difficult or contraindicated for some newborns with respiratory distress or infection. The nurse should encourage breastfeeding only after assessing and stabilizing the newborn's condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice B reason: Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are laboratory results that are not as critical as serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD.. Erythrocytes are red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Hemoglobin is a protein in erythrocytes that binds oxygen. Hematocrit is the percentage of blood volume that is occupied by erythrocytes. ESRD can cause anemia (low erythrocyte, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels) due to reduced production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates erythrocyte formation, by the kidneys. Anemia can cause fatigue, pallor, or shortness of breath.
Choice C reason: Leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine are laboratory results that are not as relevant as serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD.. Leukocytes are white blood cells that fight infection and inflammation. Neutrophils are a type of leukocyte that respond to bacterial infection. Thyroxine is a hormone that regulates metabolism and growth. ESRD can cause leukopenia (low leukocyte levels) and neutropenia (low neutrophil levels) due to impaired immune function and increased susceptibility to infection. ESRD can also cause hypothyroidism (low thyroxine levels) due to reduced clearance of thyroid hormones by the kidneys. Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, cold intolerance, or depression.
Choice D reason: Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are not laboratory results, but vital signs that should be monitored in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD.. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute. Temperature is the measure of body heat. ESRD can cause hypertension (high blood pressurE. due to fluid overload and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormonal pathway that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. Hypertension can cause headache, chest pain, or stroke. ESRD can also cause tachycardia (high heart ratE. due to anemia, fluid overload, or electrolyte imbalance. Tachycardia can cause palpitations, dizziness, or heart failure. ESRD can also cause fever (high temperaturE. due to infection or inflammation. Fever can cause chills, sweating, or delirium.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Increasing oxygen to 6 liters/minute is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can worsen bronchospasm and hypoxia by reducing the hypoxic drive and causing carbon dioxide retention. This is a contraindicated choice.
Choice B: Calling for an Ambu resuscitation bag is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this is not indicated for a client who is conscious and breathing spontaneously. This is an overreaction choice.
Choice C: Instructing the client to lie back in bed is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can increase respiratory distress and compromise airway clearance by reducing lung expansion and increasing abdominal pressure. This is another contraindicated choice.
Choice D: Administering a nebulizer treatment is an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can deliver bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents directly to the airways and improve ventilation and oxygenation for this client. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
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