Author Question: A 3-month-old infant has a hypercyanotic spell. What should be the nurse's first action? a. ... (Read 23 times)

CharlieWard · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

A 3-month-old infant has a hypercyanotic spell. What should be the nurse's first action?

a. Assess for neurologic defects.
b. Prepare the family for imminent death.
c. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
d. Place the child in the kneechest position.

Question 2

The clinic nurse is teaching parents about physiologic anemia that occurs in infants. What statement should the nurse include about the cause of physiologic anemia?

a. Maternally derived iron stores are depleted in the first 2 months.
b. Fetal hemoglobin results in a shortened survival of red blood cells.
c. The production of adult hemoglobin decreases in the first year of life.
d. Low levels of fetal hemoglobin depress the production of erythropoietin.

sultansheikh · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The first action is to place the infant in the kneechest position. Blow-by oxygen may be indicated. Neurologic defects are unlikely. Preparing the family for imminent death or beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be unnecessary. The child is assessed for airway, breathing, and circulation. Often, calming the child and administering oxygen and morphine can alleviate the hypercyanotic spell.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Fetal hemoglobin results in a shortened survival of red blood cells (RBCs) and thus a decreased number of RBCs. Maternally derived iron stores are present for the first 5 to 6 months results in a shortened survival of RBCs and thus a decreased number of RBCs. High levels of fetal hemoglobin depress the production of erythropoietin, a hormone released by the kidney that stimulates RBC production.