A nurse is providing newborn nutrition education to new parents. The nurse will include which of the following as a sign (cue) of feeding readiness?
The infant stretches their arms out and then back in toward their body.
The infant turns their head toward their parent’s voice.
The infant grasps the parent’s finger when placed in the infant’s palm.
The infant brings their hand to their mouth.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Stretching arms out and then back in is a common reflex in newborns known as the Moro reflex. It is not a sign of feeding readiness but rather a response to a sudden loss of support or a loud noise.
Choice B rationale
Turning the head toward a parent’s voice is a sign of auditory recognition and bonding, not necessarily feeding readiness. It indicates the infant’s ability to recognize familiar sounds.
Choice C rationale
Grasping a parent’s finger when placed in the infant’s palm is a primitive reflex known as the palmar grasp reflex. It is not related to feeding readiness but is a normal reflexive action in newborns.
Choice D rationale
Bringing their hand to their mouth is a sign of feeding readiness. This action indicates that the infant is hungry and ready to feed. It is an early cue that the baby is ready to eat.
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
Given the neonate’s symptoms and critically low blood glucose level (30 mg/dL), the most urgent action is to address the hypoglycemia. Therefore, the nurse shouldadminister a bolus of intravenous glucose (Option A). This immediate intervention is crucial to stabilize the neonate and prevent further complications associated with hypoglycemia.
Choice B rationale
While monitoring blood glucose levels is important, waiting 30 minutes to reassess without immediate intervention could allow the hypoglycemia to worsen, potentially leading to severe complications such as seizures or brain damage. Immediate treatment is necessary to stabilize the neonate.
Choice C rationale
Although feeding can help increase blood glucose levels, the neonate’s current symptoms (jitteriness, poor feeding, weak cry, and irritability) suggest that they may not be able to effectively feed. Additionally, the blood glucose level is critically low and requires more rapid correction than feeding alone can provide.
Choice D rationale
While maintaining an appropriate body temperature is important, the neonate’s temperature (36.1°C) is not critically low. The primary concern here is the hypoglycemia, which needs to be addressed immediately. Placing the neonate under a radiant warmer does not directly address the low blood glucose level.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Drying the newborn’s skin thoroughly immediately after birth helps reduce heat loss by evaporation, which is a significant concern as wet skin can cause rapid heat loss.
Choice B rationale
Maintaining ambient room temperature at 24°C (75°F) helps prevent heat loss by convection but does not directly address evaporation.
Choice C rationale
Placing the newborn on a warm surface helps prevent heat loss by conduction but does not address evaporation.
Choice D rationale
Preventing air drafts helps reduce heat loss by convection but does not address evaporation.