Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a preterm newborn. To help the newborn conserve energy, which of the following actions should the nurse recommend?
A. Allow opportunities for newborn massage.
Allowing opportunities for newborn massage is not recommended for preterm newborns, as it can increase their oxygen consumption and energy expenditure. Massage can also cause stress responses, such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.
B. Cluster the newborn's care activities.
Clustering the newborn's care activities is the best way to help the newborn conserve energy, as it minimizes the frequency of handling and stimulation. Clustering care also allows for longer periods of uninterrupted sleep, which is essential for growth and development.
C. Change the newborn's position every 2 hours.
Changing the newborn's position every 2 hours is not necessary for preterm newborns, as it can disrupt their sleep and cause them to lose heat. Preterm newborns have limited ability to regulate their body temperature, and frequent position changes can expose them to cold stress.
D. Place elbow restraints on the newborn.
Placing elbow restraints on the newborn is not indicated for preterm newborns, unless they have a specific condition that requires them, such as a cleft lip or palate repair. Elbow restraints can restrict the newborn's movement and cause skin irritation or injury.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Custom Maternity Final 23D Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason:
Allowing opportunities for newborn massage is not recommended for preterm newborns, as it can increase their oxygen consumption and energy expenditure. Massage can also cause stress responses, such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.
Choice B reason:
Clustering the newborn's care activities is the best way to help the newborn conserve energy, as it minimizes the frequency of handling and stimulation. Clustering care also allows for longer periods of uninterrupted sleep, which is essential for growth and development.
Choice C reason:
Changing the newborn's position every 2 hours is not necessary for preterm newborns, as it can disrupt their sleep and cause them to lose heat. Preterm newborns have limited ability to regulate their body temperature, and frequent position changes can expose them to cold stress.
Choice D reason:
Placing elbow restraints on the newborn is not indicated for preterm newborns, unless they have a specific condition that requires them, such as a cleft lip or palate repair. Elbow restraints can restrict the newborn's movement and cause skin irritation or injury.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who might have a hydatidiform mole. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following findings?
A. Fetal heart rate irregularities.
Fetal heart rate irregularities are not a sign of hydatidiform mole, as this condition involves an abnormal fertilization of the egg that results in an abnormal or absent fetus.
B. Whitish vaginal discharge.
A hydatidiform mole is more commonly associated with dark brown to bright red vaginal bleeding, not whitish discharge. The bleeding may resemble prune juice and is often a sign of the abnormality.
C. Rapidly dropping human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels.
Rapidly dropping human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels are not a sign of hydatidiform mole, as this condition causes very high levels of hCG due to the the proliferation of trophoblastic tissue.
D. Excessive uterine enlargement.
In a hydatidiform mole, the uterus often enlarges more rapidly than expected for the gestational age due to the overgrowth of trophoblastic tissue and the accumulation of fluid-filled vesicles. This excessive uterine enlargement is a key sign that could indicate the presence of a molar pregnancy.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason:
Fetal heart rate irregularities are not a sign of hydatidiform mole, as this condition involves an abnormal fertilization of the egg that results in an abnormal or absent fetus.
Choice B reason:
A hydatidiform mole is more commonly associated with dark brown to bright red vaginal bleeding, not whitish discharge. The bleeding may resemble prune juice and is often a sign of the abnormality.
Choice C reason:
Rapidly dropping human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels are not a sign of hydatidiform mole, as this condition causes very high levels of hCG due to the proliferation of trophoblastic tissue.
Choice D reason:
In a hydatidiform mole, the uterus often enlarges more rapidly than expected for the gestational age due to the overgrowth of trophoblastic tissue and the accumulation of fluid-filled vesicles. This excessive uterine enlargement is a key sign that could indicate the presence of a molar pregnancy.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a new mother about the purpose of administering vitamin K to her newborn following delivery. The nurse should explain that the purpose of administering vitamin K is to prevent which of the following complications?
A. Infection
Infection is not prevented by vitamin K administration. Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting, not for fighting infections. Newborns are given vitamin K injections to prevent a serious disease called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN), which is caused by bleeding in the brain or other organs.
B. Hyperbilirubinemia
Hyperbilirubinemia is not prevented by vitamin K administration. Hyperbilirubinemia is a condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the blood, causing jaundice. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells break down. Vitamin K does not affect the production or breakdown of bilirubin.
C. Bleeding
Bleeding is prevented by vitamin K administration. Vitamin K is needed for the synthesis of several clotting factors that help stop bleeding when there is an injury. Newborns have very low levels of vitamin K in their bodies because they do not get enough from the placenta or breast milk, and they do not have enough bacteria in their intestines to produce it. This puts them at risk for VKDB, which can cause life-threatening bleeding in the brain or other organs.
D. Potassium deficiency
Potassium deficiency is not prevented by vitamin K administration. Potassium is an electrolyte that is important for nerve and muscle function, as well as fluid balance. Vitamin K does not affect the absorption or excretion of potassium.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason:
Infection is not prevented by vitamin K administration. Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting, not for fighting infections. Newborns are given vitamin K injections to prevent a serious disease called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN), which is caused by bleeding in the brain or other organs.
Choice B reason:
Hyperbilirubinemia is not prevented by vitamin K administration. Hyperbilirubinemia is a condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the blood, causing jaundice. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells break down. Vitamin K does not affect the production or breakdown of bilirubin.
Choice C reason:
Bleeding is prevented by vitamin K administration. Vitamin K is needed for the synthesis of several clotting factors that help stop bleeding when there is an injury. Newborns have very low levels of vitamin K in their bodies because they do not get enough from the placenta or breast milk, and they do not have enough bacteria in their intestines to produce it. This puts them at risk for VKDB, which can cause life-threatening bleeding in the brain or other organs.
Choice D reason:
Potassium deficiency is not prevented by vitamin K administration. Potassium is an electrolyte that is important for nerve and muscle function, as well as fluid balance. Vitamin K does not affect the absorption or excretion of potassium.
What is true regarding FAS and NAS?
A. FAS is caused by alcohol, and NAS is caused by opioids.
This is the correct answer because FAS stands for fetal alcohol syndrome, which is a condition that affects the development of a baby when the mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy. NAS stands for neonatal abstinence syndrome, which is a group of problems that can happen when a baby is exposed to opioid drugs for a length of time while in their mother's womb.
B. FAS and NAS are both incurable.
This is incorrect because FAS and NAS are not diseases, but conditions that result from prenatal exposure to substances. FAS and NAS can cause various physical, mental, and behavioral problems in the baby, some of which may be permanent, but others may be improved with early intervention and treatment.
C. FAS is caused by analgesics and NAS is caused by NSAIDs.
This is incorrect because analgesics are painkillers, and NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Neither of these types of drugs is known to cause FAS or NAS. However, some analgesics, such as codeine and oxycodone, are opioids and can cause NAS if used by pregnant women.
D. FAS and NAS are both curable.
This is incorrect because FAS and NAS are not diseases, but conditions that result from prenatal exposure to substances. FAS and NAS can cause various physical, mental, and behavioral problems in the baby, some of which may be permanent, but others may be improved with early intervention and treatment. However, there is no cure for FAS or NAS.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason:
FAS is caused by alcohol, and NAS is caused by opioids. This is the correct answer because FAS stands for fetal alcohol syndrome, which is a condition that affects the development of a baby when the mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy. NAS stands for neonatal abstinence syndrome, which is a group of problems that can happen when a baby is exposed to opioid drugs for a length of time while in their mother's womb.
Choice B reason:
FAS and NAS are both incurable. This is incorrect because FAS and NAS are not diseases, but conditions that result from prenatal exposure to substances. FAS and NAS can cause various physical, mental, and behavioral problems in the baby, some of which may be permanent, but others may be improved with early intervention and treatment.
Choice C reason:
FAS is caused by analgesics and NAS is caused by NSAIDs. This is incorrect because analgesics are painkillers, and NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Neither of these types of drugs is known to cause FAS or NAS. However, some analgesics, such as codeine and oxycodone, are opioids and can cause NAS if used by pregnant women.
Choice D reason:
FAS and NAS are both curable. This is incorrect because FAS and NAS are not diseases, but conditions that result from prenatal exposure to substances. FAS and NAS can cause various physical, mental, and behavioral problems in the baby, some of which may be permanent, but others may be improved with early intervention and treatment. However, there is no cure for FAS or NAS.