A nurse is caring for a newborn and observes signs of diaphoresis, jitteriness, and lethargy.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Monitor the newborn's blood pressure.
Obtain blood glucose by heel stick.
Place the newborn in a radiant warmer.
Initiate phototherapy.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Monitoring the newborn's blood pressure does not directly address symptoms like diaphoresis, jitteriness, and lethargy. These symptoms indicate an immediate need to check blood glucose levels for hypoglycemia.
Choice B rationale
Obtaining blood glucose by heel stick is the correct step because diaphoresis, jitteriness, and lethargy in a newborn are classic signs of hypoglycemia. Timely detection and correction of blood glucose levels are critical.
Choice C rationale
Placing the newborn in a radiant warmer might help maintain body temperature but does not address the root cause of the symptoms, which is likely hypoglycemia.
Choice D rationale
Initiating phototherapy is used to treat jaundice (high bilirubin levels) and is not indicated for managing symptoms of hypoglycemia like diaphoresis, jitteriness, and lethargy.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A reaction from an epidural can cause side effects such as hypotension and shivering, but it is not related to tachysystole.
Choice B rationale
When the fetus's heart rate drops below baseline, it is termed bradycardia, not tachysystole. This condition can occur due to various reasons, including cord prolapse or placental insufficiency.
Choice C rationale
Tachysystole is defined as more than five contractions in 10 minutes. This condition can lead to reduced blood flow to the fetus, resulting in fetal distress.
Choice D rationale
Pitocin is a medication used to induce labor and can cause tachysystole, but the administration of Pitocin itself is not the definition of tachysystole. It's the increased frequency of contractions that defines the condition.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Prophylactic treatment for cytomegalovirus during pregnancy isn't generally recommended. CMV detection should lead to close monitoring rather than prophylactic treatment, as
current treatments pose risks without guaranteed efficacy.
Choice B rationale
Avoiding cat litter is crucial during pregnancy to prevent toxoplasmosis infection, which can cause severe fetal harm, including hydrocephalus, mental disabilities, and seizures, by
transferring through contact with cat feces.
Choice C rationale
While avoiding crowded places can reduce general infection risks, it is not specifically associated with preventing TORCH infections. TORCH infections refer to a set of perinatal infections that pose particular risks to fetal health.
Choice D rationale
Rubella immunization should be done before pregnancy, not during, as live vaccines carry risks. A woman should confirm immunity before conception to protect against congenital rubella syndrome.