A nurse is collecting data from a newborn who was delivered at 40 weeks of gestation. Which of the following is an expected finding when eliciting reflexes from the newborn?
The newborn's legs flex at the knees and hips when pressure is applied to the soles of the newborn's feet.
The newborn closes their eyes and keeps them closed when tapped on the forehead.
The newborn's fingers curl around the nurse's finger when placed in the newborn's palm.
The newborn turns their head away from the stimulus when their cheek is touched.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
The newborn's legs flexing at the knees and hips when pressure is applied to the soles indicates the stepping reflex, an expected response.
Choice B rationale
Newborns do not typically keep their eyes closed when tapped on the forehead; this is not an expected reflex response.
Choice C rationale
The palmar grasp reflex, where the newborn's fingers curl around the nurse's finger, is an expected and normal finding in newborns, indicating healthy neurological function.
Choice D rationale
The rooting reflex, where the newborn turns their head when their cheek is touched, is expected and demonstrates feeding readiness and normal neural development. .
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 A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
This finding indicates fetal distress. Recurrent variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate (FHR) can be a sign of umbilical cord compression, which can compromise fetal oxygenation.
Choice B rationale
Uterine contractions every 6 minutes are within the normal range for the latent phase of labor and do not indicate fetal risk.
Choice C rationale
Moderate variability of the FHR is a reassuring sign and suggests that the fetus is well-oxygenated and neurologically intact.
Choice D rationale
Uterine contractions lasting 30 to 45 seconds are typical for the latent phase of labor and do not indicate fetal distress.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
"Monitor perineal pads for clots.”. This is incorrect because while monitoring for clots is important, it does not address the underlying issue causing the fundal deviation.
Choice B rationale
"Assist the client to empty her bladder.”. This is correct because a full bladder can cause the uterus to deviate and impede uterine involution. Emptying the bladder helps the uterus to contract properly and return to its normal position.
Choice C rationale
"Notify the provider.”. This is incorrect because the immediate action should be to address the potential cause of the deviation (a full bladder), which can be managed by the nurse.
Choice D rationale
"Administer a prescribed analgesic.”. This is incorrect because administering pain relief does not address the cause of the fundal deviation and does not alleviate the potential issue.