Which of these is a characteristic of a preterm infant?
Hypertonia.
Long toenails.
Lanugo.
Dry skin.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
Hypertonia is not a characteristic of a preterm infant, but rather of a post-term infant. Hypertonia means increased muscle tone or stiffness, which is more common in infants who are overdue. Preterm infants have poor muscle tone and less subcutaneous fat.
Choice B reason:
Long toenails are also not a characteristic of a preterm infant but of a post-term infant. Long toenails indicate that the infant has grown beyond the expected gestational age. Preterm infants have short and brittle nails.
Choice C reason:
Lanugo is a characteristic of a preterm infant. Lanugo is fine, downy hair that covers the body of the fetus. It usually disappears by the 36th week of gestation, but preterm infants may still have it at birth.
Choice D reason:
Dry skin is not a characteristic of a preterm infant but of a post-term infant. Dry skin indicates that the infant has lost moisture and subcutaneous fat due to prolonged exposure to the amniotic fluid. Preterm infants have thin and transparent skin that may be covered by vernix caseosa, a white, cheesy substance that protects the skin from the amniotic fluid.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Stop breastfeeding. This is the correct answer because newborns and infants with galactosemia cannot metabolize galactose, a sugar found in milk and lactose-containing formulas, including breast milk. Galactose can build up in their blood and cause serious complications such as liver damage, cataracts, brain damage, and even death. Therefore, the therapeutic management for this newborn is to stop breastfeeding and switch to a soy or elemental formula that contains no galactose.
Choice B reason:
Add amino acids to the breast milk. This is incorrect because adding amino acids to breast milk will not prevent the accumulation of galactose in the newborn's blood. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, not sugars. Adding amino acids to breast milk will not change its galactose content or help the newborn metabolize it.
Choice C reason:
Substitute a lactose-containing formula for breast milk. This is incorrect because lactose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose. Lactose-containing formulas will also expose the newborn to galactose, which they cannot break down. Lactose-containing formulas should be avoided in newborns and infants with galactosemia.
Choice D reason:
Give the appropriate enzyme along with breast milk. This is incorrect because there is no enzyme therapy available for galactosemia. Galactosemia is caused by a genetic defect in one of the enzymes involved in the breakdown of galactose, such as galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT), galactokinase (GALK), or uridine diphosphate galactose-4-epimerase (GALE). Giving an enzyme along with breast milk will not correct this defect or prevent the harmful effects of galactose accumulation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Small for gestational age (SGA) newborns are at risk for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and respiratory acidosis because they have immature lungs that produce less surfactant, which is needed to keep the alveoli open and prevent atelectasis. SGA newborns also have less glycogen stores, which can lead to hypoglycemia and impaired oxygen delivery to the tissues.
Choice B reason:
Maternal history of asthma is not a risk factor for RDS or respiratory acidosis in the newborn. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that affects the mother, not the fetus. Maternal asthma can cause complications such as preterm labor, preeclampsia, or intrauterine growth restriction, but it does not directly affect the fetal lung development or function.
Choice C reason:
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital heart defect that causes a hole in the wall between the ventricles of the heart. This can result in increased pulmonary blood flow and pressure, which can lead to pulmonary edema and heart failure in the newborn. However, VSD does not cause RDS or respiratory acidosis, which are related to lung maturity and surfactant production.
Choice D reason:
Cesarean birth is not a risk factor for RDS or respiratory acidosis in the newborn. Cesarean birth can increase the risk of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), which is caused by delayed absorption of fetal lung fluid. TTN usually resolves within 24 to 48 hours and does not cause a significant acid-base imbalance in the newborn.
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