A baby is grunting in the neonatal nursery.
Which of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?
Place a pacifier in the baby's mouth.
Check the baby's diaper.
Have the mother feed the baby.
Assess the respiratory rate.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Placing a pacifier in the baby's mouth is inappropriate because it does not address the underlying cause of grunting, which can be a sign of respiratory distress.
Choice B rationale
Checking the baby's diaper is not relevant to assessing the cause of grunting. Grunting is usually related to respiratory issues rather than a dirty diaper.
Choice C rationale
Having the mother feed the baby is inappropriate because grunting may indicate respiratory distress. Feeding should be deferred until the baby's respiratory status is assessed and stabilized.
Choice D rationale
Assessing the respiratory rate is appropriate because grunting in a newborn can indicate respiratory distress. The nurse should evaluate the respiratory status to determine the need for further intervention.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Decreased muscle tone is not typically associated with NAS. NAS often presents with increased muscle tone due to withdrawal symptoms.
Choice B rationale
A continuous high-pitched cry is a hallmark sign of NAS, indicating withdrawal and discomfort. This is due to overstimulation of the central nervous system.
Choice C rationale
Newborns with NAS often have difficulty sleeping due to irritability and discomfort, sleeping for shorter periods.
Choice D rationale
Tremors in NAS are typically pronounced and continuous, not just when disturbed. These tremors result from withdrawal effects on the nervous system.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Checking the blood sugar of a gestational diabetic is essential but not immediately life-threatening. Blood sugar levels should be monitored regularly throughout pregnancy for
diabetics to prevent complications. However, this does not represent an urgent priority when compared to the other options, which involve more immediate risks to life and health.
Choice B rationale
Assessing vaginal blood loss in a client recovering from a spontaneous abortion is crucial to monitor for hemorrhage or infection. Heavy bleeding could signal a serious complication
needing immediate intervention, though it is not the most immediate priority over monitoring fetal heart rate during active labor.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring the patellar reflexes of a client with pre-eclampsia without severe features can help in detecting early signs of progressing pre-eclampsia. While important, it is generally
not as critical as ensuring immediate fetal wellbeing, especially if reflexes do not present signs of worsening.
Choice D rationale
Checking the fetal heart rate in a client whose membranes have just ruptured is paramount. Rupture of membranes could lead to immediate complications such as umbilical cord
prolapse, leading to rapid fetal distress. Therefore, verifying fetal heart rate ensures that the fetus is not in immediate danger.