Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is planning care for a full-term newborn who is receiving phototherapy. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Avoid using lotion or ointment on the newborn's skin.
When a newborn is receiving phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia, it is essential to avoid using lotions or ointments on the skin. Phototherapy works by breaking down bilirubin in the skin, and any barriers like lotions or ointments can interfere with this process. The baby's skin needs to be exposed to the light to effectively reduce bilirubin levels.
B. Dress the newborn in lightweight clothing.
Dressing the newborn in lightweight clothing is a correct action during phototherapy. The baby should be undressed and placed under the phototherapy lights, with only a diaper on to maximize skin exposure to the light.
C. Keep the newborn supine throughout treatment.
Keeping the newborn supine throughout treatment is not a recommended action during phototherapy. To optimize skin exposure to the light, the baby should be placed in a prone position, with the back exposed to the light source.
D. Measure the newborn's temperature every 6 hr.
Measuring the newborn's temperature every 6 hours is essential, but it is not directly related to phototherapy. Temperature monitoring is a routine part of newborn care to assess for signs of infection or other health issues.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Maternal Newborn 2019 NGN Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
When a newborn is receiving phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia, it is essential to avoid using lotions or ointments on the skin. Phototherapy works by breaking down bilirubin in the skin, and any barriers like lotions or ointments can interfere with this process. The baby's skin needs to be exposed to the light to effectively reduce bilirubin levels.
Choice B rationale:
Dressing the newborn in lightweight clothing is a correct action during phototherapy. The baby should be undressed and placed under the phototherapy lights, with only a diaper on to maximize skin exposure to the light.
Choice C rationale:
Keeping the newborn supine throughout treatment is not a recommended action during phototherapy. To optimize skin exposure to the light, the baby should be placed in a prone position, with the back exposed to the light source.
Choice D rationale:
Measuring the newborn's temperature every 6 hours is essential, but it is not directly related to phototherapy. Temperature monitoring is a routine part of newborn care to assess for signs of infection or other health issues.
Similar Questions
A nurse is assessing a newborn whose mother had gestational diabetes mellitus. The nurse should monitor for which of the following findings as a manifestation of hypoglycemia?
A. Abdominal distention.
Abdominal distention is not a typical manifestation of hypoglycemia in a newborn. Instead, it can be associated with gastrointestinal issues or other conditions affecting the abdominal organs.
B. Petechiae.
Petechiae are small, pinpoint purple or red spots that appear on the skin due to broken capillaries. They are not related to hypoglycemia and can be caused by various factors such as blood clotting disorders or infections.
C. Increased muscle tone.
Increased muscle tone is not typically associated with hypoglycemia in a newborn. Instead, hypoglycemic babies may exhibit decreased muscle tone, lethargy, and poor feeding.
D. Jitteriness.
Jitteriness is a common manifestation of hypoglycemia in newborns. It is characterized by rhythmic tremors, often involving the face and extremities. This occurs because the brain relies heavily on glucose for energy, and low blood sugar levels can affect neurological function, leading to jitteriness. Prompt intervention is necessary to prevent further complications.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Abdominal distention is not a typical manifestation of hypoglycemia in a newborn. Instead, it can be associated with gastrointestinal issues or other conditions affecting the abdominal organs.
Choice B rationale:
Petechiae are small, pinpoint purple or red spots that appear on the skin due to broken capillaries. They are not related to hypoglycemia and can be caused by various factors such as blood clotting disorders or infections.
Choice C rationale:
Increased muscle tone is not typically associated with hypoglycemia in a newborn. Instead, hypoglycemic babies may exhibit decreased muscle tone, lethargy, and poor feeding.
Choice D rationale:
Jitteriness is a common manifestation of hypoglycemia in newborns. It is characterized by rhythmic tremors, often involving the face and extremities. This occurs because the brain relies heavily on glucose for energy, and low blood sugar levels can affect neurological function, leading to jitteriness. Prompt intervention is necessary to prevent further complications.
A nurse is assessing a newborn whose mother had a primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy. The newborn acquired CMV transplacentally. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect the newborn to exhibit?
A. Cataracts
Cataracts are not a common finding in newborns with congenital CMV infection. Cataracts are more commonly associated with other congenital infections like rubella, toxoplasmosis, and herpes simplex virus (HSV).
B. Hearing loss.
Hearing loss is one of the most common manifestations of congenital CMV infection. Up to 40-58% of infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection develop sensorineural hearing loss, which can be unilateral or bilateral, and progressive over time.
C. Macrosomia
Macrosomia, or large birth size, is not a typical finding in congenital CMV infection. In fact, infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection are more likely to be small for gestational age or have intrauterine growth restriction.
D. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is not a common presentation of congenital CMV infection. CMV can cause inclusion bodies in the urine, but overt UTI is not a typical finding. More common manifestations include petechiae, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, and central nervous system involvement.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice **b. Hearing loss**.
Choice A rationale:
Cataracts are not a common finding in newborns with congenital CMV infection. Cataracts are more commonly associated with other congenital infections like rubella, toxoplasmosis, and herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Choice B rationale:
Hearing loss is one of the most common manifestations of congenital CMV infection. Up to 40-58% of infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection develop sensorineural hearing loss, which can be unilateral or bilateral, and progressive over time.
Choice C rationale:
Macrosomia, or large birth size, is not a typical finding in congenital CMV infection. In fact, infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection are more likely to be small for gestational age or have intrauterine growth restriction.
Choice D rationale:
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is not a common presentation of congenital CMV infection. CMV can cause inclusion bodies in the urine, but overt UTI is not a typical finding. More common manifestations include petechiae, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, and central nervous system involvement.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin for induction of labor and notes late decelerations of the fetal heart rate on the monitor tracing. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Decrease maintenance IV solution infusion rate.
Decreasing the maintenance IV solution infusion rate is not the appropriate action for addressing late decelerations of the fetal heart rate. Late decelerations are a concerning sign during labor, indicating possible fetal distress. This can be caused by inadequate oxygenation of the fetus, and reducing IV fluids would not directly address this issue.
B. Place the client in a lateral position.
Placing the client in a lateral (side-lying) position is the correct action when late decelerations are observed. This position helps to improve uteroplacental blood flow and can relieve pressure on the inferior vena cava, thus increasing oxygen supply to the fetus.
C. Administer oxygen via face mask at 2 L/min.
Administering oxygen via face mask at 2 L/min is not the priority action in response to late decelerations. While oxygen may be beneficial in certain situations, it is not the initial intervention for addressing fetal heart rate decelerations.
D. Administer misoprostol 25 mcg vaginally.
Administering misoprostol 25 mcg vaginally is not appropriate for addressing late decelerations. Misoprostol is a medication used for cervical ripening and induction of labor, but it does not directly address fetal heart rate changes.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Decreasing the maintenance IV solution infusion rate is not the appropriate action for addressing late decelerations of the fetal heart rate. Late decelerations are a concerning sign during labor, indicating possible fetal distress. This can be caused by inadequate oxygenation of the fetus, and reducing IV fluids would not directly address this issue.
Choice B rationale:
Placing the client in a lateral (side-lying) position is the correct action when late decelerations are observed. This position helps to improve uteroplacental blood flow and can relieve pressure on the inferior vena cava, thus increasing oxygen supply to the fetus.
Choice C rationale:
Administering oxygen via face mask at 2 L/min is not the priority action in response to late decelerations. While oxygen may be beneficial in certain situations, it is not the initial intervention for addressing fetal heart rate decelerations.
Choice D rationale:
Administering misoprostol 25 mcg vaginally is not appropriate for addressing late decelerations. Misoprostol is a medication used for cervical ripening and induction of labor, but it does not directly address fetal heart rate changes.