Author Question: During assessment of a newborn, the nurse notes the following symptoms: irregular, rapid ... (Read 54 times)

cherise1989 · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

During assessment of a newborn, the nurse notes the following symptoms: irregular, rapid respirations accompanied by respiratory grunting, flaring of the nostrils, tachycardia, and cyanosis. The nurse suspects the following problem:

a. No problem: these are normal findings
b. Apnea
c. Atelectasis
d. Hemorrhagic disease

Question 2

The nurse is with a newborn that is having radiographic studies to determine if the newborn has esophageal atresia and if the newborn also has tracheoesophageal fistula.

When the radiopaque nasogastric tube is passed through the nose to the stomach, it stops at 10 centimeters and the radiographic studies show air in the stomach. The nurse is aware that these finding indicate which of the following conditions? a. normal esophagus and stomach
b. abnormal esophagus and normal stomach
c. esophageal atresia without tracheoesophageal fistula
d. esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula

Pswine · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
The findings are not normal for an infant. Apnea is the cessation of breathing for 20 seconds or more. These symptoms are not consistent with hemorrhagic disease.

Answer to Question 2

D

Feedback
A Incorrect. These findings do not indicate a normal esophagus and stomach.
B Incorrect. These findings do not indicate an abnormal esophagus and normal stomach. The esophagus is abnormal because it should be connected to the stomach. However, in this anomaly it terminates before reaching the stomach. The stomach is filled with air because there is a fistula between the esophagus and trachea, so the stomach is also abnormal.
C Incorrect. In esophageal atresia without tracheoesophageal fistula air would not be in the stomach.
D Correct. These findings indicate esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. In infants with esophageal atresia a nasogastric tube passed through the nose to the stomach typically stops at 10-12 cm. The normal distance is 17 cm. If tracheoesophageal fistula is present, air will be seen in the stomach because of the connection between the esophagus and trachea.