Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 6 hours old and has a bedside glucometer reading of 65 mg/dL. The newborn’s mother has type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Obtain a blood sample for a serum glucose level
• B. Feed the newborn immediately
• C. Administer 50 mL of dextrose solution IV
• D. Reassess the blood glucose level prior to the next feeding

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A bedside glucometer reading of 65 mg/dL is within the normal range for a newborn. Reassessing the blood glucose level prior to the next feeding ensures ongoing monitoring without unnecessary intervention. Obtaining a blood sample for a serum glucose level (Choice A) is not necessary as the initial reading is normal. Feeding the newborn immediately (Choice B) may not be indicated and could lead to unnecessary interventions. Administering dextrose solution IV (Choice C) is not warranted as the glucose level is within the normal range and does not require immediate correction.

2. The client who is 40 weeks gestation seems upset and tells the nurse that the physician told her she needs to have a nonstress test. The client asks why she needs the test. The nurse’s best response would be:

• A. This is a test to see if your stress level is affecting your baby’s growth and well-being.
• B. This is a test to see if your baby will be able to withstand the stress of labor.
• C. This is a test to assess your baby’s well-being now that you are due to deliver soon.
• D. This is a test to let us know if your baby needs to be delivered to avoid a bad outcome.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct response is C because the nonstress test is specifically used to assess the baby's well-being close to the due date. It helps determine if the baby is receiving enough oxygen and nutrients in the womb. Choice A is incorrect as the test does not assess the mother's stress level but focuses on fetal well-being. Choice B is incorrect as the test does not predict the baby's ability to withstand labor. Choice D is incorrect because the test does not solely indicate if the baby needs to be delivered to avoid a bad outcome; rather, it assesses the current well-being of the baby.

3. What determines a child’s sex?

• A. Presence of teratogens at the time of conception.
• B. Sex chromosome received from the mother.
• C. Presence of teratogens at the time of ovulation.
• D. Sex chromosome received from the father.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is the sex chromosome received from the father. The father contributes either an X or Y chromosome, which determines the child's sex. This occurs at the moment of fertilization when the sperm carrying either an X (resulting in a female) or Y (resulting in a male) chromosome fertilizes the egg. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the presence of teratogens at the time of conception or ovulation does not determine the child's sex. While the sex chromosome received from the mother is important, it is the father's contribution that ultimately determines the child's sex.

4. When should a nurse on a labor and delivery unit instruct a newly licensed nurse to don gloves for a procedure?

• A. Assisting a mother with breastfeeding
• B. Performing a newborn's initial bath
• C. Administering the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine
• D. Performing umbilical cord care

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Performing a newborn's initial bath. Gloves should be worn during this procedure to protect against exposure to body fluids, such as amniotic fluid or blood. Assisting a mother with breastfeeding (Choice A) does not typically require gloves unless there are specific reasons for infection control. Administering vaccines (Choice C) and performing umbilical cord care (Choice D) are procedures that may require hand hygiene but not necessarily gloves, unless there is active bleeding or potential exposure to body fluids. The initial bath involves direct contact with body fluids, making it crucial to wear gloves for protection.

5. A premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) receives artificial surfactant. How does the nurse explain surfactant therapy to the parents?

• A. “Surfactant improves the ability of your baby’s lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.”
• B. “The drug keeps your baby from requiring too much sedation.”
• C. “Surfactant is used to reduce episodes of periodic apnea.”
• D. “Your baby needs this medication to fight a possible respiratory tract infection.”

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Artificial surfactant can be administered as an adjunct to oxygen and ventilation therapy for premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). It helps improve respiratory compliance by aiding in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide until the infant can produce enough surfactant naturally. The correct explanation to the parents would be that surfactant therapy enhances the baby’s lung function by facilitating the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Choice B is incorrect because surfactant therapy does not affect sedation needs. Choice C is inaccurate as surfactant is not used to reduce episodes of periodic apnea. Choice D is incorrect as surfactant is not administered to fight respiratory tract infections; it specifically targets improving lung function in RDS.

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