Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. A newborn is scheduled to start phototherapy using a lamp. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan?

• A. Apply a thin layer of lotion to the newborn's skin every 8 hours.
• B. Give the newborn 1 oz of glucose water every 4 hours.
• C. Ensure the newborn's eyes are closed beneath the shield.
• D. Dress the newborn in a thin layer of clothing during therapy.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During phototherapy using a lamp, it is crucial to protect the newborn's eyes from the light to prevent damage. Closing the newborn's eyes beneath the shield is essential for this purpose. Applying lotion to the skin (Choice A) is not recommended as it can intensify the effects of the phototherapy. Giving glucose water (Choice B) is unrelated to the phototherapy process and is not indicated. Dressing the newborn in clothing (Choice D) may hinder the effectiveness of the phototherapy by blocking the light exposure to the skin.

3. On the first postpartum day, the nurse examines the breasts of a new mother. Which condition is the nurse most likely to find?

• A. Firm, larger, and very tender to the touch
• B. Slightly firm with an immediate let-down response
• C. Soft with no change from before delivery
• D. Filling and secreting colostrum

Correct answer: D

Rationale: On the first postpartum day, the nurse is most likely to find the breasts filling and secreting colostrum. Colostrum secretion is common as the body prepares for breastfeeding in the initial days after delivery. Choice A is incorrect as breasts are not typically very tender immediately postpartum. Choice B is incorrect as an immediate let-down response is more related to lactation rather than the first postpartum day. Choice C is incorrect as the breasts typically undergo changes, such as filling with colostrum, after delivery.

4. A client has experienced a fetal demise following a vaginal delivery at term. What should the nurse advise the client?

• A. “You can bathe and dress your baby if you’d like to.”
• B. “If you don’t hold the baby, it will make letting go much harder.”
• C. “You should name the baby so he/she can have an identity.”
• D. “I’m sure you will be able to have another baby when you’re ready.”

Correct answer: A

Rationale: After a fetal demise, allowing the parents to bathe and dress their baby can offer them a sense of closure and help them in their grieving process. This act can provide a tangible way for the parents to bond with their baby and create lasting memories. Option B is incorrect because each individual may have different emotional needs and holding the baby may not be appropriate or helpful for everyone. Option C, while well-intentioned, may not be suitable for all parents as naming the baby could be emotionally challenging. Option D is insensitive as it overlooks the grieving process of losing a baby by suggesting a replacement.

5. A woman at 26 weeks of gestation is being assessed to determine whether she is experiencing preterm labor. Which finding indicates that preterm labor is occurring?

• A. Estriol is not found in maternal saliva.
• B. Irregular, mild uterine contractions occur every 12 to 15 minutes.
• C. Fetal fibronectin is present in vaginal secretions.
• D. The cervix is effacing and dilated to 2 cm.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Cervical changes such as effacement and dilation to 2 cm are strong indicators of imminent preterm labor. These changes, combined with regular contractions, can signify labor at any gestation. Estriol can be detected in maternal plasma as early as 9 weeks of gestation. Levels of salivary estriol have been linked to preterm birth. Irregular, mild contractions occurring every 12 to 15 minutes without cervical change are generally not concerning. While the presence of fetal fibronectin in vaginal secretions between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation may predict preterm labor, its predictive value is limited (20%-40%). Therefore, cervical changes provide more reliable information regarding the risk of preterm labor.

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