EAQ Maternity & Women's Health
Nursing Care of the Newborn ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
A 1-day-old newborn has just expelled a thick, greenish-black stool. The nurse determines
that this is the first stool. What should the nurse do next?
1
Document the stool in the infant's record
2
Assess the infant for an intestinal obstruction
3
Send the stool to the laboratory per protocol
4
Notify the practitioner that a tarry stool has been passed - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅1
Document the stool in the infant's record
The neonate's first stool, which is thick and greenish-black, is called meconium; the
appearance of meconium is an expected occurrence that should be documented. This stool is
expected; there is no reason to suspect intestinal obstruction. Meconium stool on the first day
of life is expected and does not require further examination. Meconium is not indicative of
bleeding; it contains bile and other waste products produced by the fetus. Passage of
meconium does not require notification of the practitioner.
A nurse decides on a teaching plan for a new mother and her infant. What should the plan
include?
1
A schedule for teaching infant care
2
A demonstration and explanation of infant care
3
A discussion of mothering skills presented in a nonthreatening manner
4
, Emotional support and that will foster dependence on the nurse's expertise - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅2
A demonstration and explanation of infant care
Teaching the mother by example is a nonthreatening approach that allows her to proceed at
her own pace. Learning does not occur on a schedule; questions must be answered as they
arise. New mothers need demonstration of appropriate mothering skills, not just a discussion.
Although emotional support is required, the plan should encourage independent caregiving.
A nurse who is monitoring a newborn 3 minutes after birth remembers that the heart rate of a
healthy, alert neonate may range between:
1
120 and 180 beats/min
2
130 and 170 beats/min
3
110 and 160 beats/min
4
100 and 130 beats/min - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅3
110 and 160 beats/min
The newborn's heart rate varies with activity; crying can increase it to 180 beats/min, whereas
deep sleep may lower it to 80 to 100 beats/min; a rate between 110 and 160 beats/min is the
average. A heart rate in an alert, noncrying newborn that is faster than 160 beats/min
constitutes tachycardia. The heart rate of an alert, noncrying newborn that is slower than 110
beats/min constitutes bradycardia.
After the birth of her daughter, a mother tells the nurse, "I was told that my baby has to have
an injection of vitamin K. She's so small to be getting a shot. Why does she have to have it?"
How should the nurse respond?
1
"Your baby needs the injection to help her develop red blood cells."
2
"An injection of vitamin K will help keep your baby from becoming jaundiced."
Nursing Care of the Newborn ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
A 1-day-old newborn has just expelled a thick, greenish-black stool. The nurse determines
that this is the first stool. What should the nurse do next?
1
Document the stool in the infant's record
2
Assess the infant for an intestinal obstruction
3
Send the stool to the laboratory per protocol
4
Notify the practitioner that a tarry stool has been passed - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅1
Document the stool in the infant's record
The neonate's first stool, which is thick and greenish-black, is called meconium; the
appearance of meconium is an expected occurrence that should be documented. This stool is
expected; there is no reason to suspect intestinal obstruction. Meconium stool on the first day
of life is expected and does not require further examination. Meconium is not indicative of
bleeding; it contains bile and other waste products produced by the fetus. Passage of
meconium does not require notification of the practitioner.
A nurse decides on a teaching plan for a new mother and her infant. What should the plan
include?
1
A schedule for teaching infant care
2
A demonstration and explanation of infant care
3
A discussion of mothering skills presented in a nonthreatening manner
4
, Emotional support and that will foster dependence on the nurse's expertise - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅2
A demonstration and explanation of infant care
Teaching the mother by example is a nonthreatening approach that allows her to proceed at
her own pace. Learning does not occur on a schedule; questions must be answered as they
arise. New mothers need demonstration of appropriate mothering skills, not just a discussion.
Although emotional support is required, the plan should encourage independent caregiving.
A nurse who is monitoring a newborn 3 minutes after birth remembers that the heart rate of a
healthy, alert neonate may range between:
1
120 and 180 beats/min
2
130 and 170 beats/min
3
110 and 160 beats/min
4
100 and 130 beats/min - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅3
110 and 160 beats/min
The newborn's heart rate varies with activity; crying can increase it to 180 beats/min, whereas
deep sleep may lower it to 80 to 100 beats/min; a rate between 110 and 160 beats/min is the
average. A heart rate in an alert, noncrying newborn that is faster than 160 beats/min
constitutes tachycardia. The heart rate of an alert, noncrying newborn that is slower than 110
beats/min constitutes bradycardia.
After the birth of her daughter, a mother tells the nurse, "I was told that my baby has to have
an injection of vitamin K. She's so small to be getting a shot. Why does she have to have it?"
How should the nurse respond?
1
"Your baby needs the injection to help her develop red blood cells."
2
"An injection of vitamin K will help keep your baby from becoming jaundiced."
