Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is planning care immediately following birth for a newborn who has a myelomeningocele that is leaking cerebrospinal fluid. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics is crucial for a newborn with a myelomeningocele that is leaking cerebrospinal fluid to prevent infection. The leaking of cerebrospinal fluid can increase the risk of meningitis, which is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are used as a prophylactic measure to reduce this risk.
B. Monitor the rectal temperature every 4 hr.
Monitoring the rectal temperature every 4 hours is important for detecting fever, which could indicate infection. However, it is not the most immediate action required for a newborn with a leaking myelomeningocele. The priority is to prevent infection through the administration of antibiotics.
C. Cleanse the site with povidone-iodine.
Cleansing the site with povidone-iodine is not recommended for a myelomeningocele because it can be toxic to the exposed neural tissue. Instead, the area should be covered with a sterile saline dressing to protect the site and prevent drying and further damage to the neural tissue.
D. Prepare for surgical closure after 72 hr.
While surgical closure is necessary for a newborn with myelomeningocele, it is typically performed within 24 to 48 hours after birth, not after 72 hours. Early closure is essential to reduce the risk of infection and further damage to the exposed spinal cord and nerves.
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
The correct answer is choice A, administer broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Choice A rationale:
Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics is crucial for a newborn with a myelomeningocele that is leaking cerebrospinal fluid to prevent infection. The leaking of cerebrospinal fluid can increase the risk of meningitis, which is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are used as a prophylactic measure to reduce this risk.
Choice B rationale:
Monitoring the rectal temperature every 4 hours is important for detecting fever, which could indicate infection. However, it is not the most immediate action required for a newborn with a leaking myelomeningocele. The priority is to prevent infection through the administration of antibiotics.
Choice C rationale:
Cleansing the site with povidone-iodine is not recommended for a myelomeningocele because it can be toxic to the exposed neural tissue. Instead, the area should be covered with a sterile saline dressing to protect the site and prevent drying and further damage to the neural tissue.
Choice D rationale:
While surgical closure is necessary for a newborn with myelomeningocele, it is typically performed within 24 to 48 hours after birth, not after 72 hours. Early closure is essential to reduce the risk of infection and further damage to the exposed spinal cord and nerves.
Similar Questions
A nurse is performing an initial assessment of a newborn who was delivered with a nuchal cord. Which of the following clinical findings should the nurse expect?
A. Telangiectatic nevi.
Telangiectatic nevi are commonly known as "stork bites”. or "angel kisses”. and are superficial vascular areas commonly found on the nape of the neck or the eyelids of newborns. These are benign and pose no significant health risks.
B. Erythema toxicum.
Erythema toxicum is a common, benign skin rash that appears in the first few days of life. It presents as small, raised red spots with a surrounding halo and is not related to a nuchal cord.
C. Periauricular papillomas.
Periauricular papillomas, also known as "ear tags,”. are small, skin-colored nodules that can be found near the external ear. They are also benign and unrelated to a nuchal cord.
D. Facial petechiae.
Facial petechiae are tiny, red or purple pinpoint spots on the skin caused by minor hemorrhages. In newborns, facial petechiae can be associated with a nuchal cord, which is a condition where the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby's neck during delivery. This condition is relatively common and usually resolves without complications. The nurse should monitor the baby for any signs of distress or complications related to the nuchal cord.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Telangiectatic nevi are commonly known as "stork bites”. or "angel kisses”. and are superficial vascular areas commonly found on the nape of the neck or the eyelids of newborns? These are benign and pose no significant health risks.
Choice B rationale:
Erythema toxicum is a common, benign skin rash that appears in the first few days of life. It presents as small, raised red spots with a surrounding halo and is not related to a nuchal cord.
Choice C rationale:
Periauricular papillomas, also known as "ear tags,”. are small, skin-coloured nodules that can be found near the external ear. They are also benign and unrelated to a nuchal cord.
Choice D rationale:
Facial petechiae are tiny, red or purple pinpoint spots on the skin caused by minor haemorrhages. In newborns, facial petechiae can be associated with a nuchal cord, which is a condition where the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby's neck during delivery. This condition is relatively common and usually resolves without complications. The nurse should monitor the baby for any signs of distress or complications related to the nuchal cord.
A nurse is caring for a client who has bladder distention following a vaginal birth. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Offer the client a sitz bath.
Offering the client a sitz bath may provide some relief, but it does not address the underlying issue of bladder distention. The priority is to address the bladder distention directly.
B. Insert a urinary catheter.
Inserting a urinary catheter is not the first-line intervention for bladder distention after a vaginal birth. Catheterization carries a risk of infection and trauma, so it should only be done if other interventions are not effective.
C. Assist the client to the bathroom.
Assisting the client to the bathroom is the first action the nurse should take. Bladder distention can occur after birth due to the pressure on the bladder during labor and birth. Encouraging the client to empty her bladder will relieve the distention and promote comfort.
D. Pour warm water over the client's perineum.
Pouring warm water over the client's perineum might provide some comfort, but it does not address the bladder distention itself.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Offering the client a sitz bath may provide some relief, but it does not address the underlying issue of bladder distention. The priority is to address the bladder distention directly.
Choice B rationale:
Inserting a urinary catheter is not the first-line intervention for bladder distention after vaginal birth. Catheterization carries a risk of infection and trauma, so it should only be done if other interventions are not effective.
Choice C rationale:
Assisting the client to the bathroom is the first action the nurse should take. Bladder distention can occur after birth due to the pressure on the bladder during labour and birth. Encouraging the client to empty her bladder will relieve the distention and promote comfort.
Choice D rationale:
Pouring warm water over the client's perineum might provide some comfort, but it does not address the bladder distention itself.
A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery for a client who reports that the first day of her last menstrual period was August 10. Using Nägele's Rule, which of the following is the client's estimated date of delivery?
A. May 20.
To calculate the estimated date of delivery using Nägele's Rule, subtract three months from the first day of the last menstrual period (August 10), and then add seven days. However, choice A (May 20) is incorrect because it adds eight days instead of seven.
B. May 3.
It does not add seven days to the calculation.
C. May 13.
It adds three days instead of seven to the calculation
D. May 17.
It follows the correct application of Nägele's Rule. Subtracting three months from August 10 gives us May 10, and then adding seven days gives us May 17as the estimated date of delivery.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
To calculate the estimated date of delivery using Nägele's Rule, subtract three months from the first day of the last menstrual period (August 10), and then add seven days. However, choice A (May 20) is incorrect because it adds eight days instead of seven.
Choice B rationale:
It does not add seven days to the calculation.
Choice C rationale:
It adds three days instead of seven to the calculation
Choice D rationale:
It follows the correct application of Nägele's Rule. Subtracting three months from August 10 gives us May 10, and then adding seven days gives us May 17 as the estimated date of delivery.