Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a 2-day-old newborn who was born at 35 weeks of gestation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Measure the abdominal circumference at the level of the newborn's umbilicus every 12 hr.
Measuring the abdominal circumference at the level of the newborn's umbilicus every 12 hr is a critical action in this scenario. The newborn has necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious gastrointestinal condition, and measuring abdominal circumference can help monitor for changes in abdominal distention, which is a sign of NEC progression.
B. Insert an orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction.
Inserting an orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction may not be the most appropriate action for a newborn with NEC. While decompression tubes can be used in some cases of NEC, their insertion should be guided by specific clinical indications, and not all cases require them.
C. Provide the newborn with an iron-rich formula containing vitamin B12 every 2 hr.
Providing the newborn with an iron-rich formula containing vitamin B12 every 2 hr is not indicated for NEC. NEC requires specialized medical management and treatment, which may include bowel rest and other interventions, but providing iron-rich formula is not one of them.
D. Administer nitric oxide inhalation therapy to the newborn.
Administering nitric oxide inhalation therapy is not relevant to the management of NEC. Nitric oxide inhalation therapy is used for respiratory conditions, particularly persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and does not address the gastrointestinal issues seen in NEC.
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:
Measuring the abdominal circumference at the level of the newborn's umbilicus every 12 hr is a critical action in this scenario. The newborn has necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious gastrointestinal condition, and measuring abdominal circumference can help monitor for changes in abdominal distention, which is a sign of NEC progression.
Choice B rationale:
Inserting an orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction may not be the most appropriate action for a newborn with NEC. While decompression tubes can be used in some cases of NEC, their insertion should be guided by specific clinical indications, and not all cases require them.
Choice C rationale:
Providing the newborn with an iron-rich formula containing vitamin B12 every 2 hr is not indicated for NEC. NEC requires specialized medical management and treatment, which may include bowel rest and other interventions, but providing iron-rich formula is not one of them.
Choice D rationale:
Administering nitric oxide inhalation therapy is not relevant to the management of NEC. Nitric oxide inhalation therapy is used for respiratory conditions, particularly persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and does not address the gastrointestinal issues seen in NEC.
Similar Questions
A nurse is developing an educational program about hemolytic disease in newborns for a group of newly licensed nurses. Which of the following genetic information should the nurse include in the program as a cause of hemolytic disease?
A. The mother and the father are both Rh positive.
If both the mother and the father are Rh positive, there is no risk of hemolytic disease in the newborn due to Rh incompatibility. Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when the mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive.
B. The mother is Rh positive and the father is Rh negative.
When the mother is Rh positive and the father is Rh negative, there is no risk of hemolytic disease in the newborn. Hemolytic disease results from Rh incompatibility, which occurs when the mother is Rh negative, and the father is Rh positive.
C. The mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive.
This is the correct answer. Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when the mother is Rh negative, and the father is Rh positive. In such cases, the baby may inherit the Rh factor from the father, leading to Rh incompatibility between the mother and the baby's blood, potentially causing hemolytic disease.
D. The mother and the father are both Rh negative.
If both the mother and the father are Rh negative, there is no risk of hemolytic disease in the newborn due to Rh incompatibility. Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when the mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
If both the mother and the father are Rh positive, there is no risk of hemolytic disease in the newborn due to Rh incompatibility. Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when the mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive.
Choice B rationale:
When the mother is Rh positive and the father is Rh negative, there is no risk of hemolytic disease in the newborn. Hemolytic disease results from Rh incompatibility, which occurs when the mother is Rh negative, and the father is Rh positive.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct answer. Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when the mother is Rh negative, and the father is Rh positive. In such cases, the baby may inherit the Rh factor from the father, leading to Rh incompatibility between the mother and the baby's blood, potentially causing hemolytic disease.
Choice D rationale:
If both the mother and the father are Rh negative, there is no risk of hemolytic disease in the newborn due to Rh incompatibility. Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when the mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labour and reports sudden, severe lower abdominal pain. The nurse observes a drop in the client's blood pressure and notes cool skin and pallor. The fetal heart rate tracing shows prolonged bradycardia. Which of the following complications should the nurse suspect?
A. Amniotic fluid embolism.
Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but serious complication during labor or immediately after delivery, where amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enter the mother's bloodstream and cause a severe reaction. While it may present with sudden and severe symptoms, such as hypotension and respiratory distress, it does not typically cause uterine rupture.
B. Uterine rupture.
Uterine rupture is a life-threatening emergency that can occur during labor, especially in women with previous uterine surgeries or trauma. The sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, cool skin, and pallor could indicate internal bleeding and shock, which are consistent with uterine rupture. Prolonged bradycardia on the fetal heart rate tracing suggests fetal distress due to compromised blood flow.
C. Umbilical cord prolapse.
Umbilical cord prolapse is another obstetric emergency that occurs when the umbilical cord slips through the cervix and gets compressed during labor, leading to fetal distress. It may cause variable decelerations in fetal heart rate, but it does not explain the maternal symptoms described in the scenario, such as the sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, hypotension, cool skin, and pallor.
D. Placenta previa.
Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta covers part or all of the cervix, and it can lead to painless vaginal bleeding. While it can cause fetal distress, it does not explain the maternal symptoms like the sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, hypotension, cool skin, and pallor. Prolonged bradycardia on the fetal heart rate tracing is more suggestive of uterine rupture.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but serious complication during labor or immediately after delivery, where amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enter the mother's bloodstream and cause a severe reaction. While it may present with sudden and severe symptoms, such as hypotension and respiratory distress, it does not typically cause uterine rupture.
Choice B rationale:
Uterine rupture is a life-threatening emergency that can occur during labor, especially in women with previous uterine surgeries or trauma. The sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, cool skin, and pallor could indicate internal bleeding and shock, which are consistent with uterine rupture. Prolonged bradycardia on the fetal heart rate tracing suggests fetal distress due to compromised blood flow.
Choice C rationale:
Umbilical cord prolapse is another obstetric emergency that occurs when the umbilical cord slips through the cervix and gets compressed during labor, leading to fetal distress. It may cause variable decelerations in fetal heart rate, but it does not explain the maternal symptoms described in the scenario, such as the sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, hypotension, cool skin, and pallor.
Choice D rationale:
Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta covers part or all of the cervix, and it can lead to painless vaginal bleeding. While it can cause fetal distress, it does not explain the maternal symptoms like the sudden, severe lower abdominal pain, hypotension, cool skin, and pallor. Prolonged bradycardia on the fetal heart rate tracing is more suggestive of uterine rupture.
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.
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.