What is the primary purpose of administering vitamin K to a newborn?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Administering vitamin K to a newborn is crucial to prevent bleeding disorders, specifically hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Newborns have low levels of vitamin K at birth, which puts them at risk for hemorrhagic disease, a condition that can lead to severe bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage. Vitamin K is essential for the production of clotting factors in the liver, which help the blood to clot effectively. By giving newborns a dose of vitamin K at birth, healthcare providers can prevent potential bleeding complications and ensure the baby's health and safety. Option A, preventing anemia, is incorrect because vitamin K does not play a significant role in preventing anemia in newborns. Anemia is usually related to iron deficiency or other factors, not vitamin K. Option B, enhancing immune function, is incorrect because while vitamin K is important for overall health, its primary role in newborns is related to blood clotting and preventing bleeding disorders, not directly related to immune function. Option D, promoting growth and development, is incorrect because although vitamin K is essential for overall growth and development, its immediate priority in newborns is to prevent bleeding disorders, as deficiencies can have serious consequences. Understanding the specific role of vitamin K in newborns' health is essential for healthcare providers working in maternal newborn care to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In the context of pharmacology and maternal newborn care, the recommended response for a pregnant client reporting decreased fetal movements is to advise monitoring for fetal heart rate decelerations (Option C). This is the correct choice because decreased fetal movements can be an early sign of fetal distress. Monitoring the fetal heart rate can provide crucial information about the well-being of the baby, helping healthcare providers assess the situation promptly and take necessary actions to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby. Option A, encouraging the client to lie on her left side, is a common recommendation to improve blood flow to the fetus and can be helpful in certain situations. However, in the case of decreased fetal movements, monitoring the fetal heart rate is a more direct and immediate way to assess the baby's well-being. Option B, scheduling an immediate ultrasound, may be necessary in some cases of decreased fetal movements to visualize the baby and assess its condition. However, monitoring the fetal heart rate is a quicker and more accessible initial step to take in response to this situation. Option D, instructing the client to monitor movements over the next 48 hours, is not advisable when a pregnant client reports decreased fetal movements. Time is of the essence in such situations, and waiting for 48 hours without immediate assessment could pose risks to the baby's well-being. In an educational context, understanding the importance of monitoring fetal well-being and responding promptly to changes in fetal movements is crucial for healthcare providers caring for pregnant clients. This knowledge can help prevent adverse outcomes and ensure the best possible care for both the mother and the baby.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the context of a newborn receiving phototherapy for jaundice, the most important teaching for the mother is Option A) Ensure the newborn wears protective eyewear. Phototherapy involves exposing the baby's skin to light to help break down excess bilirubin. Without eye protection, the baby's eyes can be harmed by the bright lights used in phototherapy. Therefore, ensuring that the newborn wears protective eyewear is crucial to prevent eye damage. Option B) Increase the newborn's fluid intake is not the most important teaching in this scenario. While adequate hydration is important for newborns, it is not directly related to the safety and effectiveness of phototherapy. Option C) Turn the newborn frequently to prevent pressure sores is not the priority teaching here. While repositioning is essential for preventing pressure sores in hospitalized patients, it is not the primary concern for a newborn undergoing phototherapy. Option D) Monitor bilirubin levels every 8 hours is important for healthcare providers to do, but it is not a teaching that would directly involve the mother of the newborn. Teaching the mother about the importance of protective eyewear during phototherapy is more relevant and crucial for her active participation in the care of her newborn. In an educational context, this question highlights the importance of patient safety and family education in newborn care, emphasizing the specific considerations involved in managing newborns undergoing phototherapy for jaundice. It underscores the significance of providing clear and concise instructions to parents to ensure the well-being of their newborns during medical interventions.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Using clean technique for all procedures helps prevent infection in the labor and birth area. A clean technique involves maintaining cleanliness and limiting contamination during procedures. This includes proper hand hygiene, use of clean gloves, and ensuring that equipment and supplies are kept clean and sterile as needed. By adhering to clean techniques, the nurse reduces the risk of introducing harmful microorganisms into the labor and birth area, ultimately reducing the chances of infection for both the mother and baby. It is important for the nurse to practice proper infection control measures to provide a safe environment for labor and birth.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Mongolian spots are a common benign skin condition in newborn babies, especially those with darker skin tones, such as African American babies. These spots appear as blue or purple bruises or patches, typically on the lower back and buttocks, and can easily be mistaken for bruises caused by physical harm. It is important for healthcare providers and caregivers to be aware of Mongolian spots to avoid confusion with signs of abuse. In this case, the nurse is likely explaining that the bruises on the newborn girl's buttocks are due to Mongolian spots, not being spanked.