Nursing Elites

1. What action should you take if a newborn's heart rate is 50 beats/min?

• A. Begin chest compressions.
• B. Reassess in 30 seconds.
• C. Administer blow-by oxygen.
• D. Start positive-pressure ventilations.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: If a newborn's heart rate is below 60 beats per minute, the appropriate action is to start positive-pressure ventilations. Ventilations help deliver oxygen to the newborn's body and support respiratory function, which is critical in cases of bradycardia. Chest compressions are not recommended until the heart rate is below 60 despite adequate ventilation. Reassessment is essential but not the immediate action required in this scenario. Administering blow-by oxygen alone may not effectively address the underlying cause of bradycardia, making positive-pressure ventilations the priority intervention in this case.

2. How will a ventricular septal defect affect blood flow?

• A. Blood will shunt left to right, causing increased pulmonary flow and no cyanosis.
• B. Blood will shunt right to left, causing decreased pulmonary flow and cyanosis.
• C. No shunting occurs due to high pressure in the left ventricle.
• D. Increased pressure in the left atrium hinders the circulation of oxygenated blood in the circulating volume.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A ventricular septal defect allows blood to shunt left to right, leading to increased pulmonary flow. This results in oxygenated blood mixing with deoxygenated blood, causing no cyanosis as the mixed blood is still oxygenated. The shunting from left to right overloads the pulmonary circulation, leading to increased pulmonary flow. Choice B is incorrect because blood does not shunt right to left in a ventricular septal defect. Choice C is incorrect as shunting does occur due to the pressure differences between the ventricles. Choice D is incorrect because the defect affects the ventricles, not the atrium, and does not hinder the circulation of oxygenated blood in the circulating volume.

3. Why is a prolapsed umbilical cord dangerous?

• A. The cord may be wrapped around the baby's neck, causing strangulation.
• B. The cord might pull the placenta from the uterine wall during delivery.
• C. The baby's head may compress the cord, cutting off its supply of oxygen.
• D. The mother may die of hypoxia due to compromised placental blood flow.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A prolapsed umbilical cord is dangerous because the baby's head may compress the cord, cutting off its supply of oxygen. This compression can lead to oxygen deprivation, potentially causing significant harm to the baby. Immediate medical intervention is crucial in such cases to prevent adverse outcomes.

4. What is the appropriate ventilation rate for an apneic infant?

• A. 8 to 10 breaths/min.
• B. 10 to 12 breaths/min.
• C. 12 to 20 breaths/min.
• D. 20 to 30 breaths/min.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During resuscitation of an apneic infant, the appropriate ventilation rate is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. This rate helps provide adequate oxygenation and ventilation without causing harm to the infant. Choice A (8 to 10 breaths/min) is too low and may not provide sufficient ventilation. Choice B (10 to 12 breaths/min) is slightly below the recommended range, which may not be optimal for effective resuscitation. Choice D (20 to 30 breaths/min) is too high and may lead to overventilation and potential harm to the infant by causing hypocapnia.

5. A 3-year-old child has a sudden onset of respiratory distress. The mother denies any recent illnesses or fever. You should suspect:

• A. croup.
• B. foreign body airway obstruction.
• C. lower respiratory infection.
• D. epiglottitis.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a 3-year-old child with a sudden onset of respiratory distress and no recent illnesses or fever, the likely cause is a foreign body airway obstruction. Foreign body obstruction can lead to sudden respiratory distress without other preceding symptoms. It is crucial to consider this possibility and act promptly to clear the airway in such cases to prevent serious complications.

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