Nursing Elites

1. A client in labor requests epidural anesthesia for pain control. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Position the client supine for 30 minutes after the first dose of anesthetic solution.
• B. Administer 1,000 mL of dextrose 5% in water after the first dose of anesthetic solution.
• C. Monitor the client's blood pressure every 5 minutes after the first dose of anesthetic solution.
• D. Ensure the client has been NPO for 4 hours before the placement of the epidural and the first dose of anesthetic solution.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action is to monitor the client's blood pressure every 5 to 10 minutes following the first dose of anesthetic solution to assess for maternal hypotension. This is crucial to detect and manage potential complications associated with the epidural anesthesia. Positioning the client supine for a prolonged period can lead to hypotension; administering dextrose solution is not a standard practice in epidural anesthesia; ensuring NPO status for 4 hours is not necessary before epidural placement.

2. A parent is receiving discharge teaching from a nurse regarding caring for their newborn after a circumcision. Which instruction should the nurse include?

• A. Apply slight pressure with a sterile gauze pad for mild bleeding.
• B. Inspect the circumcision site every 6 to 8 hours.
• C. Avoid using baby wipes containing alcohol to cleanse the penis with each diaper change.
• D. Clean the circumcision site daily using a warm, wet washcloth.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to apply slight pressure with a sterile gauze pad for mild bleeding. This helps to stop bleeding. If the bleeding persists, the parent should contact the healthcare provider for further guidance. While inspecting the circumcision site is important, checking every 6 to 8 hours might be too frequent and could disrupt healing. Using baby wipes containing alcohol can irritate the sensitive skin, so it is advised to avoid them. Cleaning the circumcision site daily is crucial, but excessive cleaning by removing yellow exudate daily is not necessary unless advised by the healthcare provider.

3. A healthcare professional is preparing to collect a blood specimen from a newborn via a heel stick. Which of the following techniques should the professional use to help minimize the pain of the procedure for the newborn?

• A. Apply a cool pack to the heel for 10 minutes prior to the puncture.
• B. Request a prescription for IM analgesic.
• C. Use a manual lancet to pierce the skin.
• D. Place the newborn skin-to-skin on the mother's chest.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Placing the newborn skin-to-skin on the mother's chest is an effective technique to significantly decrease the newborn's pain level and anxiety during a heel stick procedure. This approach provides comfort, warmth, and familiarity to the newborn, promoting a sense of security and reducing distress. It is important for the healthcare professional to implement this technique before, during, and after the procedure to optimize pain management and support newborn well-being. The other options, such as applying a cool pack, requesting an IM analgesic prescription, and using a manual lancet, are not appropriate for minimizing pain in a newborn during a heel stick procedure. Applying a cool pack may cause vasoconstriction and increase pain, requesting an IM analgesic for a routine heel stick is excessive, and using a manual lancet without additional comforting measures may not adequately address the newborn's pain and anxiety.

4. A client who is 6 hours postpartum and Rh-negative has an Rh-positive newborn. The client asks why an indirect Coombs test was ordered. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the healthcare provider?

• A. It determines if kernicterus will occur in the newborn.
• B. It detects Rh-negative antibodies in the newborn's blood.
• C. It detects Rh-positive antibodies in the mother's blood.
• D. It determines the presence of maternal antibodies in the newborn's blood.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The indirect Coombs test is performed to detect Rh-positive antibodies in the mother's blood. In cases where the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive, the mother may develop antibodies against the baby's blood cells, which can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn. Choice A is incorrect because kernicterus is a complication of severe jaundice, not directly assessed by the indirect Coombs test. Choice B is incorrect as the test aims to detect Rh-positive antibodies, not Rh-negative antibodies in the newborn's blood. Choice D is incorrect as the test is focused on detecting antibodies in the mother's blood, not the newborn's.

5. A client in the delivery room just delivered a newborn, and the nurse is planning to promote parent-infant bonding. What should the nurse prioritize?

• A. Encourage the parents to touch and explore the newborn's features
• B. Limit noise and interruptions in the delivery room
• C. Place the newborn at the client's breast
• D. Position the newborn skin-to-skin on the client's chest

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Positioning the newborn skin-to-skin on the client's chest is the priority action to promote warmth, regulate the newborn's heart rate and breathing, and enhance parent-infant bonding. This method facilitates early bonding, stabilizes the baby's temperature, and encourages breastfeeding initiation. Encouraging parents to touch and explore the newborn's features is important but not the priority at this moment. Limiting noise and interruptions can be beneficial but not as crucial as skin-to-skin contact for bonding. Placing the newborn at the client's breast is essential for breastfeeding but should come after the initial skin-to-skin contact for bonding and temperature regulation.

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