Which is the most useful factor in preventing premature birth?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Correct Answer: B (Adequate prenatal care) Rationale: 1. Adequate prenatal care allows early detection and management of risk factors for premature birth. 2. Regular check-ups help monitor fetal development and address any complications promptly. 3. Education on healthy behaviors and nutrition can reduce the likelihood of premature birth. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: High socioeconomic status - Although it may provide access to better healthcare, it does not directly prevent premature birth. C: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Financial assistance does not directly address the medical care needed to prevent premature birth. D: WIC nutritional program - While nutrition is important, it alone may not be sufficient to prevent premature birth without proper prenatal care.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because a sustained respiratory rate of 70 breaths per minute indicates respiratory distress in a preterm infant. Gavage feedings are recommended in such cases to ensure adequate nutrition without causing further stress on the respiratory system. A: Sucking on a pacifier during gavage feedings is not a determining factor in choosing gavage over bottle feedings. B: Gagging when a feeding tube is inserted may not necessarily warrant gavage feedings over bottle feedings. D: The vital signs mentioned in choice D do not specifically indicate a need for gavage feedings; they may require further evaluation but are not a direct indication for gavage feedings.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: lack of subcutaneous fat. Post-term infants who have lost weight in utero typically have decreased subcutaneous fat deposition, leading to a lean appearance. This is due to prolonged gestation and increased metabolic demands. Option A is incorrect as soft and supple skin is not specific to post-term infants. Option B is incorrect because a hematocrit level of 55% is not typical for a post-term infant. Option D is incorrect as an abundance of vernix caseosa is typically present in preterm infants, not post-term infants. Thus, the lack of subcutaneous fat is the most characteristic feature in this scenario.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, blood glucose level of 25 mg/dL. Low blood glucose levels can lead to hypoglycemia, which can impair thermoregulation in infants. Hypoglycemia affects the body's ability to produce heat and maintain body temperature. A high hematocrit level (choice A) or RBC count (choice B) would not directly impact thermoregulation. Similarly, a high WBC count (choice C) is more indicative of an infection rather than a direct effect on thermoregulation. Therefore, the correct concern for thermoregulation in a post-term infant would be a low blood glucose level.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because in asymmetric intrauterine growth restriction, the head appears large compared to the rest of the body due to preferential brain sparing. This is a result of inadequate nutrient supply to the fetus, leading to the brain receiving more nutrients at the expense of the body. Choice A is incorrect because in asymmetric growth restriction, body parts are not proportionate. Choice B is incorrect because extremities being disproportionate is not a characteristic of asymmetric growth restriction. Choice D is incorrect because the asymmetry in growth is primarily related to the head-body disproportion, not one side of the body being smaller.