Author Question: Premature infants who exhibit 5 to 10 seconds of respiratory pauses followed by 10 to 15 seconds of ... (Read 78 times)

bio_gurl · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

Premature infants who exhibit 5 to 10 seconds of respiratory pauses followed by 10 to 15 seconds of compensatory rapid respiration are:

a. Suffering from sleep or wakeful apnea.
b. Experiencing severe swings in blood pressure.
c. Trying to maintain a neutral thermal environment.
d. Breathing in a respiratory pattern common to premature infants.

Question 2

A pregnant woman was admitted for induction of labor at 43 weeks of gestation with sure dates.

A nonstress test (NST) in the obstetrician's office revealed a nonreactive tracing. On artificial rupture of membranes, thick, meconium-stained fluid was noted. The nurse caring for the infant after birth should anticipate:
a. Meconium aspiration, hypoglycemia, and dry, cracked skin.
b. Excessive vernix caseosa covering the skin, lethargy, and respiratory distress syndrome.
c. Golden yellow- to green stainedskin and nails, absence of scalp hair, and an increased amount of subcutaneous fat.
d. Hyperglycemia, hyperthermia, and an alert, wide-eyed appearance.

milbourne11 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
This pattern is called periodic breathing and is common to premature infants. It may still require nursing intervention of oxygen and/or ventilation. Apnea is a cessation of respirations for 20 seconds or longer. It should not be confused with periodic breathing.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Meconium aspiration, hypoglycemia, and dry, cracked skin are consistent with a postmature infant. Excessive vernix caseosa covering the skin, lethargy, and respiratory distress syndrome would be consistent with a very premature infant. The skin may be meconium stained, but the infant would most likely have longer hair and decreased amounts of subcutaneous fat. Postmaturity with a nonreactive NST would indicate hypoxia. Signs and symptoms associated with fetal hypoxia are hypoglycemia, temperature instability, and lethargy.