Chapter 34: Nursing Care of the High Risk Newborn

Chapter 34: Nursing Care of the High Risk Newborn

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. An infant at 36 weeks of gestation has increasing respirations (80 to 100 breaths per minute with significant substernal retractions). The infant is given oxygen by continuous nasal positive airway pressure (CPAP). What level of partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO₂) indicates hypoxia?

a.	67 mm Hg
b.	89 mm Hg
c.	45 mm Hg
d.	73 mm Hg

 

 

ANS:  C

The laboratory value of PaO₂ of 45 mm Hg is below the range for a normal neonate and indicates hypoxia in this infant. The normal range for PaO₂ is 60 to 80 mm Hg; therefore, PaO₂ levels of 67 and 73 mm Hg fall within the normal range, and a PaO₂ of 89 mm Hg is higher than the normal range.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understand            REF:   p. 837

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity

 

2. On day 3 of life, a newborn continues to require 100% oxygen by nasal cannula. The parents ask if they may hold their infant during his next gavage feeding. Considering that this newborn is physiologically stable, what response should the nurse provide?

a.	“Parents are not allowed to hold their infants who are dependent on oxygen.”
b.	“You may only hold your baby’s hand during the feeding.”
c.	“Feedings cause more physiologic stress; therefore, the baby must be closely monitored. I don’t think you should hold the baby.”
d.	“You may hold your baby during the feeding.”

 

 

ANS:  D

Physical contact with the infant is important to establish early bonding. The nurse as the support person and teacher is responsible for shaping the environment and making the caregiving responsive to the needs of both the parents and the infant. Allowing the parents to hold their baby is the most appropriate response by the nurse. Parental interaction by holding should be encouraged during gavage feedings; nasal cannula oxygen therapy allows for easy feedings and psychosocial interactions. The parent can swaddle the infant or provide kangaroo care while gavage feeding their infant. Both swaddling and kangaroo care during feedings provide positive interactions for the infant and help the infant associate feedings with positive interactions.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   p. 834             TOP:   Nursing Process: Planning

MSC:  Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance

 

3. 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.”

 

 

ANS:  A

Surfactant can be administered as an adjunct to oxygen and ventilation therapy. With the administration of an artificial surfactant, respiratory compliance is improved until the infant can generate enough surfactant on his or her own. Surfactant has no bearing on the sedation needs of the infant. Surfactant is used to improve respiratory compliance, including the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The goal of surfactant therapy in an infant with RDS is to stimulate the production of surfactant in the type 2 cells of the alveoli. The clinical presentation of RDS and neonatal pneumonia may be similar. The infant may be started on broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat infection.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   p. 826             TOP:   Nursing Process: Planning

MSC:  Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity

 

4. An infant is to receive gastrostomy feedings. Which intervention should the nurse institute to prevent bloating, gastrointestinal reflux into the esophagus, vomiting, and respiratory compromise?

a.	Rapid bolusing of the entire amount in 15 minutes
b.	Warm cloths to the abdomen for the first 10 minutes
c.	Slow, small, warm bolus feedings over 30 minutes
d.	Cold, medium bolus feedings over 20 minutes

 

 

ANS:  C

Feedings by gravity are slowly accomplished over 20- to 30-minute periods to prevent adverse reactions. Rapid bolusing would most likely lead to the adverse reactions listed. Temperature stability in the newborn is critical. Applying warm cloths to the abdomen would not be appropriate because the environment is not thermoregulated. In addition, abdominal warming is not indicated with feedings of any kind. Small feedings at room temperature are recommended to prevent adverse reactions.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   p. 830

TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation     MSC:  Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity