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NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who delivered a pre-term newborn at 34 weeks of gestation.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Avoid breastfeeding until the newborn reaches term gestation
Breastfeeding is beneficial for pre-term newborns and can provide them with antibodies, nutrients, and bonding with the mother.Breastfeeding should be encouraged as soon as the newborn is medically stable and able to suck and swallow.
B. Use an apnea monitor at home as prescribed
Use an apnea monitor at home as prescribed.Pre-term newborns are at risk of apnea of prematurity, which is a pause in breathing for more than 20 seconds or less than 20 seconds with bradycardia or cyanosis.An apnea monitor can detect and alert the parents of any episodes of apnea and help them intervene promptly.
C. Keep the newborn in a warm environment at all times
Keeping the newborn in a warm environment at all times can lead to overheating, dehydration, and increased metabolic rate.Pre-term newborns have difficulty regulating their body temperature and need to be dressed appropriately for the ambient temperature.They should also be monitored for signs of cold stress or heat stress.
D. Delay immunizations until the newborn reaches term gestation.
Delaying immunizations until the newborn reaches term gestation can expose the newborn to preventable infections that...
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - More questions on Preterm Labor. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Pre-term newborns are at risk of apnea of prematurity, which is a pause in breathing for more than 20 seconds or less than 20 seconds with bradycardia or cyanosis. An apnea monitor can detect and alert the parents of any episodes of apnea and help them intervene promptly.
Choice A is wrong because breastfeeding is beneficial for pre-term newborns and can provide them with antibodies, nutrients, and bonding with the mother. Breastfeeding should be encouraged as soon as the newborn is medically stable and able to suck and swallow.
Choice C is wrong because keeping the newborn in a warm environment at all times can lead to overheating, dehydration, and increased metabolic rate. Pre-term newborns have difficulty regulating their body temperature and need to be dressed appropriately for the ambient temperature. They should also be monitored for signs of cold stress or heat stress.
Choice D is wrong because delaying immunizations until the newborn reaches term gestation can expose the newborn to preventable infections that ...
Similar Questions
A nurse is assessing a pre-term newborn who has retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Leukocoria (white pupils)
Leukocoria (white pupils) is a symptom of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), an eye disease that can happen in premature babies.ROP happens when abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of the eye.
B. Strabismus (crossed eyes)
Strabismus (crossed eyes) is not a symptom of ROP, but a possible complication that can occur later in life.
C. Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements)
Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) is not a symptom of ROP, but another possible complication that can occur later in life.
D. All of the above
It includes choices B and C, which are incorrect.
Full Explanation
Leukocoria (white pupils) is a symptom of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), an eye disease that can happen in premature babies. ROP happens when abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of the eye.
Choice B is wrong because strabismus (crossed eyes) is not a symptom of ROP, but a possible complication that can occur later in life.
Choice C is wrong because nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) is not a symptom of ROP, but another possible complication that can occur later in life.
Choice D is wrong because it includes choices B and C, which are incorrect.
Normal ranges for gestational age and birth weight are 38 to 42 weeks and 5.5 to 10 pounds, respectively. Babies born before 31 weeks or weighing less than 3 pounds are at risk for ROP.
A nurse is administering betamethasone to a client who is at risk for pre-term labor at 30 weeks of gestation.
Which of the following outcomes should the nurse monitor for in the newborn?
A. Increased surfactant production
Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm labor to improve neonatal outcomes.Betamethasone stimulates the production of surfactant, a substance that lubricates the lungs and prevents them from collapsing after birth.This reduces the risk of respiratory distress syndrome, a common complication of preterm birth.
B. Decreased risk of infection
Betamethasone does not decrease the risk of infection in the newborn.In fact, it may increase the risk of maternal and neonatal infections by suppressing the immune system.
C. Increased blood glucose levels
Betamethasone does not increase blood glucose levels in the newborn.However, it may cause transient hyperglycemia in the mother, which should be monitored and treated if necessary.
D. Decreased risk of bleeding
Betamethasone does not decrease the risk of bleeding in the newborn.It may increase the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage, a type of bleeding in the brain, if given before 24 weeks of gestation.Therefore, it should be used with caution in this population and only after a family’s decision regarding resuscitation.
Full Explanation
Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm labor to improve neonatal outcomes. Betamethasone stimulates the production of surfactant, a substance that lubricates the lungs and prevents them from collapsing after birth. This reduces the risk of respiratory distress syndrome, a common complication of preterm birth.
Choice B is wrong because betamethasone does not decrease the risk of infection in the newborn. In fact, it may increase the risk of maternal and neonatal infections by suppressing the immune system.
Choice C is wrong because betamethasone does not increase blood glucose levels in the newborn. However, it may cause transient hyperglycemia in the mother, which should be monitored and treated if necessary.
Choice D is wrong because betamethasone does not decrease the risk of bleeding in the newborn. It may increase the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage, a type of bleeding in the brain, if given before 24 weeks of gestation. Therefore, it should be used with caution in this population and only after a family’s decision regarding resuscitation.
A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy for a client who is in pre-term labor.
Which of the following findings indicates that the therapy is successful?
A. The client reports decreased uterine contractions
The client reports decreased uterine contractions. Magnesium sulfate is a tocolytic drug that inhibits uterine activity and relaxes smooth muscles.The goal of magnesium sulfate therapy for a client who is in pre-term labor is to stop or reduce the frequency and intensity of contractions. The normal range for serum magnesium level is 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L or 1.8 to 3 mg/dL.The therapeutic range for magnesium sulfate management is 5 to 8 mg/dL.
B. The client’s blood pressure decreases to within normal limits
The client’s blood pressure decreases to within normal limits. Magnesium sulfate is not an antihypertensive drug and does not lower blood pressure.It is used to prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia or eclampsia.
C. The client’s deep tendon reflexes are 2+
The client’s deep tendon reflexes are 2+. This is a normal finding and does not indicate the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy.A decrease or loss of deep tendon reflexes may indicate magnesium toxicity, which is a serious complication that requires immediate intervention.
D. The client’s urine output increases to more than 30 mL/hr
The client’s urine output increases to more than 30 mL/hr. This is also a normal finding and does not indicate the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy.A decrease in urine output may indicate renal impairment or magnesium toxicity, which are both adverse effects of the drug.
Full Explanation
Magnesium sulfate is a tocolytic drug that inhibits uterine activity and relaxes smooth muscles. The goal of magnesium sulfate therapy for a client who is in pre-term labor is to stop or reduce the frequency and intensity of contractions.
Choice B is wrong because the client’s blood pressure decreases to within normal limits.
Magnesium sulfate is not an antihypertensive drug and does not lower blood pressure. It is used to prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Choice C is wrong because the client’s deep tendon reflexes are 2+.
This is a normal finding and does not indicate the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy. A decrease or loss of deep tendon reflexes may indicate magnesium toxicity, which is a serious complication that requires immediate intervention.
Choice D is wrong because the client’s urine output increases to more than 30 mL/hr.
This is also a normal finding and does not indicate the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy. A decrease in urine output may indicate renal impairment or magnesium toxicity, which are both adverse effects of the drug.
The normal range for serum magnesium level is 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L or 1.8 to 3 mg/dL. The therapeutic range for magnesium sulfate management is 5 to 8 mg/dL.