A nurse is planning to obtain a blood specimen from a newborn via a heel stick.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Cool the newborn's heel prior to the procedure.
Puncture the center of the newborn's heel.
Cleanse the puncture site with alcohol gauze prior to the procedure.
Administer vitamin K 30 minutes prior to each blood draw.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Cooling the newborn’s heel would constrict blood vessels and make it more difficult to obtain a blood sample. Warming the heel is the preferred method to increase blood flow.
Choice B rationale
Puncturing the center of the newborn’s heel is not recommended as it could cause more pain and potential injury to the bone. The puncture should be done on the outer edges of the heel.
Choice C rationale
Cleansing the puncture site with alcohol gauze is essential to reduce the risk of infection and ensure that the sample is not contaminated.
Choice D rationale
Administering vitamin K before each blood draw is unnecessary. Vitamin K is typically given as a one-time dose to prevent bleeding issues, not related to blood draw procedures.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Checking fetal heart tones is the priority to assess the well-being of the fetus, especially in breech presentation and after the membranes have ruptured.
Choice B rationale
Preparing for a cesarean birth is important but follows the assessment of fetal heart tones and other immediate measures.
Choice C rationale
Checking the color, amount, and odor of the fluid is important, but ensuring fetal heart tones comes first to monitor any distress.
Choice D rationale
Performing a Nitrazine test to assess for rupture of membranes is redundant once the client reports her water has broken.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Elevating the head of the client’s bed is not indicated in this situation and does not address the issue of excessive bleeding postpartum.
Choice B rationale
Administering terbutaline, a medication used to manage preterm labor, is not relevant in the context of postpartum hemorrhage and excessive bleeding.
Choice C rationale
Initiating oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula may help with oxygenation but does not address the primary issue of excessive postpartum bleeding.
Choice D rationale
Initiating an infusion of oxytocin is the correct action as it helps contract the uterus and reduce postpartum bleeding, making it a crucial step in managing this situation.