Understanding Neonatal Asphyxia: Risks, Detection, and Resuscitation Techniques Quiz

In assessing asphyxia before birth, it is important to focus on fetal parameters and signs rather than maternal parameters.

The correct resuscitation methods involve a series of steps to help revive a person in distress. It is important to follow the correct procedures to ensure the best chances of recovery.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a condition primarily seen in premature infants and infants with surfactant deficiency disease, characterized by inadequate production of pulmonary surfactant. This surfactant is required for alveolar stability, and its inadequacy can lead to atelectasis, hypoxemia, hypercarbia, and acidemia. It does not occur in healthy adult lungs, is not caused by excess surfactant production, and does not result in hyperventilation and alkalosis.

The key components of nursing care and medical management for patients with RDS include ventilation therapy, correction of acid-base imbalance, temperature regulation, nutrition, and protection from infection. Physical therapy, psychological counseling, and social work support are not typically primary components of medical management for RDS.

When monitoring a baby with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), it is important to focus on assessing the blood gases, pulse oximetry, and signs of distress. These parameters can help to determine the baby's oxygenation status and respiratory function.

Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN) is characterized by respiratory distress shortly after birth due to failure to clear lung fluid, mucus, and debris. Symptoms such as seizures, hypertension, bradycardia, pallor, and decreased muscle tone are not typically associated with TTN.

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome can lead to serious respiratory issues due to the presence of meconium in the lungs, resulting in mechanical obstruction, chemical irritation, vasoconstriction, and surfactant inactivation.

Signs of distress (MAS) include specific indicators such as pallor or cyanosis, apnea, slow heartbeat, respiratory distress, barrel-shaped chest, decreased air movement, and displaced liver. Other symptoms such as flushed skin, fast heartbeat, and enlarged spleen are not typically associated with MAS.

MAS nursing care involves specific interventions focused on managing respiratory distress in newborns such as tracheal suctioning, umbilical arterial line and venous catheter placement, administering high levels of oxygen, exogenous surfactant administration, prophylactic antibiotics, and continuous assessment for signs of distress and complications. Administering anticoagulants, performing ECG monitoring, and initiating insulin therapy are not typically part of the standard MAS nursing care protocol.

Cold stress is characterized by increased heat loss, respiratory rate, and nonshivering thermogenesis. The ability to compensate for cold stress is impaired by factors such as hypoxemia, CNS abnormalities, and hypoglycemia.

Cold stress can lead to various metabolic changes in the body, including increased oxygen requirements, increased utilization of glucose, release of acids in the bloodstream, and decreased production of surfactants.

Providing nursing care for cold stress involves ensuring the baby is kept warm, monitoring skin temperature, and treating any accompanying hypoglycemia. Exposure to cold temperatures, neglecting skin temperature monitoring, and administering cold IV fluids can worsen the condition.

Hypoglycemia is more commonly seen in preterm infants, infants of diabetic mothers, and small for gestational age (SGA) infants due to various factors such as immature metabolic pathways or maternal hyperglycemia affecting the fetus.

Hypoglycemia is characterized by low blood sugar levels, leading to symptoms such as lethargy, poor feeding, pallor, respiratory distress, tremors, and a high-pitched cry. Excessive thirst and urination, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and increased body temperature are not typically associated with hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia in infants should be managed by routine screening for all at-risk infants, early feedings, and administering 5% or 10% dextrose by IV to raise blood sugar levels. Delaying feedings, administering high-dose insulin, or providing only continuous glucose monitoring without any interventions may not effectively address the issue of hypoglycemia in infants.

The correct answer describes the appropriate technique for performing a heelstick, which involves puncturing the lateral heel with a microlancet. It is important to avoid puncturing too deeply to prevent injury. The incorrect answers describe procedures in other areas (toe, ankle, calf) that are not the recommended site for a heelstick.

Physiologic Jaundice in newborns is caused by normal processes like shortened red blood cell lifespan, slower uptake of bilirubin by the liver, lack of intestinal bacteria, and poorly established hydration. It is not caused by genetic disorders, infections in the mother during pregnancy, or early introduction to solid foods.

Physiologic Jaundice is a common condition in newborns that occurs due to factors such as rate of hemolysis, bilirubin load, maturity of the liver, and presence of albumin binding sites. Factors like physical activity, dietary habits, and exposure to sunlight do not directly influence the development of physiologic jaundice.

Respiratory changes such as failure of lung expansion and rapid establishment of respirations can lead to serious biochemical changes, while the incorrect answers do not directly cause significant biochemical changes.

The correct nursing care for RDS involves preventing preterm birth before and administering glucocorticoids, while after birth, surfactant replacement therapy is used. The incorrect answers provided do not align with the standard nursing care protocols for RDS either before or after birth.

Hypothermic newborns attempt to compensate by conserving heat and increasing heat production, not decreasing heat production or expelling excess heat. Hyperventilation and increased blood flow to extremities are not typical compensatory mechanisms. Similarly, increased sweating and reduced metabolism do not typically occur in response to cold stress.

The correct nursing care interventions for TTN include diagnosing with multiple X-rays, administering supplemental oxygen, IV administration of fluid and electrolytes, abstaining from oral feedings, and providing nursing care similar to RDS.

Neonatal Asphyxia causes an inability to transition to extrauterine circulation, leading to complications in the circulatory system.