A preterm infant in the NICU is receiving oxygen, and the nurse ...

[EAugust]

A preterm infant in the NICU is receiving oxygen, and the nurse notes that the oxygen saturation is 98. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
 
  A.
  Call respiratory therapy to draw an arterial blood gas.
  B.
  Document the findings and continue to monitor.
  C.
  Lower the infant's oxygen concentration and reassess.
  D.
  See if the infant can tolerate more stimulation and activity.

Question 2

A woman gave birth to an infant weighing 390 g. Which action by the NICU charge nurse is most appropriate?
 
  A.
  Begin the discharge planning process when the child is admitted.
  B.
  Consult social services to help make arrangements for home care.
  C.
  Consult the palliative care team and admit the infant for comfort care.
  D.
  Prepare for aggressive resuscitation and admission to the NICU.

[ebonylittles]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Preterm infants receiving oxygen should only receive the amount of oxygen needed to maintain an oxygen saturation of greater than 92, due to the risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Because this baby's O2 saturation is well above this reading, the nurse can try to reduce the flow and reassess. ABGs are not warranted. The nurse should document the findings, but further action is needed. Assessing activity tolerance is an ongoing assessment and is not related to preventing ROP.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Very premature infants present moral and ethical dilemmas regarding their care. According to the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, infants born at less than 23 weeks' gestation or weighing less than 400 g are not candidates for resuscitation. The nurse should plan to admit this infant for comfort care only. The other options are not warranted.

[EAugust]

Thank you

[ebonylittles]

No problemo