Author Question: The nurse places a newborn with jaundice under the phototherapy lights in the nursery to achieve ... (Read 79 times)

s.tung · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

The nurse places a newborn with jaundice under the phototherapy lights in the nursery to achieve which goal?

A) Prevent cold stress
B) Increase surfactant levels in the lungs
C) Promote respiratory stability
D) Decrease the serum bilirubin level

Question 2

When assessing a newborn 1 hour after birth, the nurse measures an axillary temperature of 95.8 F, an apical pulse of 114 beats/minute, and a respiratory rate of 60 breaths/minute. Which nursing diagnosis takes highest priority?

A) Hypothermia related to heat loss during birthing process
B) Impaired parenting related to addition of new family member
C) Risk for deficient fluid volume related to insensible fluid loss
D) Risk for infection related to transition to extrauterine environment

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

Answer to Question 1

D
Feedback:
Jaundice reflects elevated serum bilirubin levels; phototherapy helps to break down the bilirubin for excretion. Phototherapy has no effect on body temperature, surfactant levels, or respiratory stability.

Answer to Question 2

A
Feedback:
The newborn's heart rate is slightly below the accepted range of 120 to 160 beats/minute; the respiratory rate is at the high end of the accepted range of 30 to 60 breaths per minute. However, the newborn's temperature is significantly below the accepted range of 97.7 to 99.5 F. Therefore, the priority nursing diagnosis is hypothermia. There is no information to suggest impaired parenting. Additional information is needed to determine if there is a risk for deficient fluid volume or a risk for infection.