Chapter 13: Preterm and Postterm Newborns

Chapter 13: Preterm and Postterm Newborns

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. The nurse is assessing a preterm infant. To what does the infant’s level of maturation refer?

a.	Actual time the fetus remained in the uterus
b.	Age on the Dubowitz scoring system
c.	Infant’s weight as compared to the gestational age
d.	Ability of the organs to function outside of the uterus

 

 

ANS:  D

Level of maturation refers to how well developed the infant is at birth and the ability of the organs to function outside of the uterus.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge            REF:   Page 309        OBJ:   1

TOP:   Preterm Infant                                 KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Data Collection

MSC:  NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development

 

2. A preterm infant has a yellow skin color and a rising bilirubin level. The nurse knows that this infant is at risk for what?

a.	Skin breakdown
b.	Renal failure
c.	Brain damage
d.	Heart failure

 

 

ANS:  C

The higher the bilirubin level and the deeper the jaundice, the greater is the risk for neurological damage.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   Page 316        OBJ:   4

TOP:   Jaundice         KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Data Collection

MSC:  NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of Disease

 

3. Why does a 4-day-old infant born at 33 weeks of gestation possibly need to be fed by gavage during the first few days of life?

a.	Weak or absent sucking or swallowing reflex
b.	Inability to digest food properly
c.	Refusal to take formula by mouth
d.	Need for a larger quantity of formula at each feeding

 

 

ANS:  A

When the preterm infant’s sucking and swallowing reflexes are immature, gavage feedings can be used to promote nutrition.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   Page 317        OBJ:   4

TOP:   Preterm Infant—Nutrition                KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development

 

4. What deficiency causes a preterm infant respiratory distress syndrome?

a.	Protein
b.	Estrogen
c.	Hyaline
d.	Surfactant

 

 

ANS:  D

The production of surfactant, necessary for the absorption of oxygen by the lungs, is deficient in the preterm infant.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge            REF:   Page 311        OBJ:   4

TOP:   Respiratory Distress Syndrome        KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Data Collection

MSC:  NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Growth and Development

 

5. How will the nurse safely ensure tube placement when preparing to initiate a gavage feeding?

a.	Check tube placement by injecting air into the stomach.
b.	Weigh the infant before the feeding.
c.	Aspirate stomach contents.
d.	Check serum glucose level.

 

 

ANS:  C

When the preterm infant is gavage fed, the contents of the stomach should be aspirated before the feeding is started. Aspiration of the stomach contents ensures tube placement and also allows the nurse to assess the amount of feeding in the stomach.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   Page 317        OBJ:   6

TOP:   Preterm Infant—Nutrition                KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk