NSG 233 Exam #4-Questions with Correct Answers/
Verified/ Latest Update
asphyxia - ✔✔Insufficient oxygen and excess carbon dioxide in the blood and tissues.
bilirubin encephalopathy - ✔✔Acute manifestation of bilirubin toxicity occurring in the first
weeks after birth.
erythroblastosis fetalis - ✔✔Agglutination and hemolysis of fetal erythrocytes caused by
incompatibility between the maternal and fetal blood types, such as when the fetus is Rh-
positive and the mother is Rh-negative.
esophageal atresia - ✔✔Condition in which the esophagus is separated from the stomach
and ends in a blind pouch.
gastroschisis - ✔✔Protrusion of the intestines through a defect in the abdominal wall. The
intestines are not covered by a peritoneal sac or skin.
hydrops fetalis - ✔✔Heart failure and generalized edema in the fetus secondary to severe
anemia resulting from destruction of erythrocytes.
kernicterus - ✔✔Chronic and permanent result of bilirubin toxicity.
meningocele - ✔✔Protrusion of the meninges through a defect in the vertebrae; a form of
neural tube defect.
myelomeningocele - ✔✔Protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord through a defect in the
vertebrae; a form of neural tube defect.
neonatal abstinence syndrome - ✔✔A cluster of physical signs exhibited by newborns
exposed in utero to maternal use of substances such as heroin.
,omphalocele - ✔✔Protrusion of the intestines into the base of the umbilical cord. The
intestines are covered by a peritoneal sac.
persistent pulmonary hypertension - ✔✔Vasoconstriction of the infant's pulmonary vessels
after birth; may result in right-to-left shunting of blood flow through the ductus arteriosus,
the foramen ovale, or both.
spina bifida - ✔✔Defective closure of the bony spine that encloses the spinal cord; a type of
neural tube defect.
tracheoesophageal fistula - ✔✔Abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea.
transient tachypnea of the newborn - ✔✔Condition of rapid respirations caused by
inadequate absorption of fetal lung fluid.
How is TTN different from RDS? - ✔✔Transient tachypnea of the newborn is thought to be
caused by failure of fetal lung fluid to be absorbed completely in late preterm, full-term, or
preterm infants. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) occurs in preterm infants as a result of
inadequate surfactant. It is less serious than RDS but is the most common respiratory cause
of NICU admission.
Why is there resistance of blood flow into the lungs in PPHN? - ✔✔Infants with PPHN have
constriction of the pulmonary blood vessels from inadequate oxygen levels. This increases
resistance to blood flow into the lungs and causes blood to flow through the foramen ovale
and patent ductus arteriosus.
How can kernicterus be prevented? - ✔✔Kernicterus can be prevented by identifying
women whose infants are at risk for blood incompatibilities, giving Rh-negative mothers Rh
immune globulin, recognizing infants with bilirubin levels that are not normal, and
instituting phototherapy when it is needed.
How can the nurse help reduce bilirubin levels in infants receiving phototherapy? -
✔✔Nurses can help reduce bilirubin level in an infant receiving phototherapy by ensuring
that the lights or blankets are functioning and positioned properly; reducing the infant's
time out of phototherapy; ensuring adequate intake to increase removal of bilirubin by
,frequent stools; preventing cold stress or hypoglycemia, which would decrease albumin-
binding sites for bilirubin; and turning the infant frequently to expose all areas to the lights.
What is the role of the nurse in caring for the infant with sepsis? - ✔✔The role of the nurse
in sepsis is to identify early signs, notify the physician, coordinate treatment, observe for
change, and support the family.
Why are IDMs more likely to develop macrosomia? - ✔✔Macrosomia occurs in IDMs
because of excessive transfer of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids from the mother to
the fetus. This results in fetal production of insulin and excessive growth in the fetus.
Why are IDMs at risk for hypoglycemia after birth? - ✔✔IDMs may develop hypoglycemia
after birth because they have high levels of insulin even though they no longer receive
glucose from the mother. Infants may need early feeding as a result.
How can the nurse deal with the inability to rest in infants with prenatal exposure to drugs?
- ✔✔The nurse can help the drug-exposed infant to rest by minimizing stimulation,
swaddling in a flexed position, organizing care to avoid interruptions, and providing a
pacifier.
How can the nurse promote bonding when there has been prenatal drug abuse? - ✔✔The
nurse can promote bonding when there has been prenatal drug abuse by helping the
mother feel welcome, encouraging her to participate in infant care, teaching her how to
respond to the infant's behavior and about the infant's care, and modeling parenting
behaviors.
Asphyxia: effects - ✔✔Asphyxia before or during birth may cause apnea, acidosis,
pulmonary hypertension, and possible death. Neonatal resuscitation must be initiated
immediately.
NI'S for asphyxia - ✔✔Nurses must identify conditions that increase the risk of asphyxia,
begin resuscitation promptly, and assist other members of the team during treatment.
Continued follow-up of the infant and parental support are important.
, transient tachypnea - ✔✔In transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory difficulty in
infants is caused by failure of fetal lung fluid to be absorbed completely. It usually resolves
spontaneously with supportive care.
meconium aspiration syndrome - ✔✔In meconium aspiration syndrome, meconium in
amniotic fluid enters the lungs before birth during gasping movements or is drawn in during
the first breaths after birth, causing obstruction, air trapping, and inflammation.
The nurse's role in meconium aspiration - ✔✔The nurse's role in meconium aspiration is to
notify caregivers when meconium is discovered, prepare equipment, assist with intubation if
necessary, and observe for further respiratory difficulty, infection, and other problems.
Nonphysiologic jaundice - ✔✔Nonphysiologic jaundice appears in the first 24 hours of life;
bilirubin levels rise faster and to higher levels than those found in physiologic jaundice. If
untreated it may result in injury to the brain.
The nurse's role in phototherapy - ✔✔The nurse's role in phototherapy is to decrease
situations such as cold stress or hypoglycemia that might further elevate bilirubin levels,
ensure that lights are used properly, protect the eyes, observe for excessive fluid loss or skin
impairment, ensure adequate oral intake, and teach parents.
Infection can be transmitted to the neonate from the mother during what time? -
✔✔Infection can be transmitted to the neonate from the mother during pregnancy or birth
or from the mother, family members, visitors, or agency staff after birth.
Infection in neonates is a problem because... - ✔✔Infection in neonates is a problem
because their immune system is immature, infection spreads easily, and the blood-brain
barrier is less effective.
The infant of a diabetic mother (IDM) may have ... - ✔✔The infant of a diabetic mother
(IDM) may have congenital anomalies, may be large (macrosomia) or small for gestational
age, and may suffer from respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and
polycythemia.
