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Macrosomia
Macrosomia ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a newborn with macrosomia who was born vaginally with shoulder dystocia.
Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform to check for a possible brachial plexus injury?
Palpating the clavicles for crepitus or deformity is a way to check for a possible clavicular fracture, not a brachial plexus injury.
This is because a brachial plexus injury affects the nerve network that provides feeling and muscle control in the shoulder, arm, forearm, hand, and fingers.A baby with a brachial plexus injury may have full or partial lack of movement, a weakened grip, numbness, or an odd position of the affected arm. Observing the range of motion of the shoulders and arms can help detect any signs of nerve damage or weakness.
Measuring the head circumference and comparing it with the chest circumference is a way to check for a possible cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), not a brachial plexus injury.
Auscultating the lungs for crackles or wheezes is a way to check for a possible respiratory distress, not a brachial plexus injury.
Observe the range of motion of the shoulders and arms. This is because a brachial plexus injury affects the nerve network that provides feeling and muscle control in the shoulder, arm, forearm, hand, and fingers. A baby with a brachial plexus injury may have full or partial lack of movement, a weakened grip, numbness, or an odd position of the affected arm.
Observing the range of motion of the shoulders and arms can help detect any signs of nerve damage or weakness.
Choice A is wrong because palpating the clavicles for crepitus or deformity is a way to check for a possible clavicular fracture, not a brachial plexus injury.
Choice C is wrong because measuring the head circumference and comparing it with the chest circumference is a way to check for a possible cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), not a brachial plexus injury.
Choice D is wrong because auscultating the lungs for crackles or wheezes is a way to check for a possible respiratory distress, not a brachial plexus injury.