MATERNAL NEWBORN NURSING QUESTIONS/DEFINATIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS.

MATERNAL NEWBORN NURSING
QUESTIONS/DEFINATIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
Placenta Previa - ANSWER Condition where placenta implants in lower uterus, causing
painless red vaginal bleeding in 2nd/3rd trimester.
Abruptio Placenta - ANSWER Premature separation of placenta leading to painful
internal bleeding and nonrelaxed uterus.
Lochia Rubra - ANSWER Postpartum vaginal discharge, intermittent, with small clots,
and firm midline fundus at umbilicus.
Fundal Massage - ANSWER Massage to ensure firmness of uterus postpartum, not
indicated if fundus is already firm.
Vitamin K Administration - ANSWER Important for newborn, but can be delayed until
held by mother and breastfed.
Dry the Skin - ANSWER Thoroughly dry and cover newborn to prevent cold stress, a
priority action post airway assurance.
Eye Prophylaxis - ANSWER Should be administered within the first hour after birth,
important but not the priority action post airway assurance.
Rubella Immunization - ANSWER Offered following birth, preferably prior to discharge,
to prevent risk to fetus during current or subsequent pregnancies.
Clear the Respiratory Tract - ANSWER First action to take immediately following
delivery to care for the newborn.
Pelvic Examination - ANSWER An examination that should be discussed with the client
to address concerns and fears.
Closed-ended nontherapeutic response - ANSWER Blocks communication, uses cliché,
and false reassurance.
Pelvic exam for birth control pills - ANSWER Fails to address client's feelings, blocks
communication.
Umbilical cord vessels - ANSWER Two arteries return blood to placenta, one vein
carries oxygenated blood to fetus.
Reliable contraception methods - ANSWER IUD has less than 1 in 100 failure rate,
most reliable.
Negative rubella titer - ANSWER Indicates susceptibility to rubella virus, not immune.
Priority nursing action for vaginal bleeding - ANSWER Initiate IV access due to
hypotension and tachycardia.
Hydatidiform mole findings - ANSWER Rapid uterine enlargement, elevated hCG levels,
signs of hyperthyroidism.
Therapeutic response to newborn's crossed eyes - ANSWER Explains newborns' lack
of muscle control for eye movement.
Nonstress test action for no fetal movement - ANSWER Offer the client a snack of
orange juice and crackers to promote fetal movement.
Labor contractions duration and frequency - ANSWER Contractions lasting 1 min,
occurring every 3 min.
Fetal heart rate - ANSWER The rate at which the fetal heart beats, in this case 130
beats per minute.
Maternal heart rate - ANSWER The rate at which the mother's heart beats, in this case
128 beats per minute.
Maternal blood pressure - ANSWER The blood pressure of the mother, in this case
92/54 mm Hg.
Supine hypotension - ANSWER Low blood pressure in pregnant clients caused by lying
flat on the back.
Primigravida - ANSWER A woman who is pregnant for the first time.
Effacement - ANSWER Thinning of the cervix in preparation for childbirth.
Dilation - ANSWER The opening of the cervix during childbirth.
Station - ANSWER The position of the baby's head in relation to the ischial spines of the
mother's pelvis.
Tocolytic - ANSWER A drug that inhibits uterine contractions, used to delay preterm
labor.
Ileus - ANSWER Lack of movement in the intestines, leading to a buildup of food
material and gases.
SGA - ANSWER Small for gestational age, indicating a fetus that is smaller than
expected for the gestational age.
Meconium - ANSWER The earliest stool of a mammalian infant, indicating fetal distress
if present in amniotic fluid.
Folic acid - ANSWER A B vitamin that is crucial in preventing neural tube defects in
newborns.
Dilation and curettage (D&C) - ANSWER A surgical procedure to remove tissue from
the inside of the uterus, in this case following a spontaneous miscarriage.
Preeclampsia - ANSWER A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood
pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys.
Proteinuria - ANSWER The presence of excess proteins in the urine, indicating kidney
damage.
Deep tendon reflexes - ANSWER Reflexes that are tested to assess the integrity of the
central and peripheral nervous system.
Postmature - ANSWER A term used to describe a baby born after 42 weeks of
gestation.
Vernix - ANSWER A white, cheesy substance covering the skin of the fetus, typically
seen in term newborns.
Postmaturity - ANSWER Refers to a gestational age of greater than 42 weeks,
characterized by physical findings such as cracked, peeling skin and positive Moro
reflex.
Lanugo - ANSWER Fine, downy hair on the body of a fetus, typically abundant in
preterm newborns.
Tocolytic therapy - ANSWER Medications used to relax the uterus, such as terbutaline,
indomethacin, and nifedipine, indicated for preterm labor but contraindicated at 36
weeks of gestation or more.
Moro reflex - ANSWER A normal reflex in newborns, elicited by a sudden loss of
support or loud noise, involving extension and abduction of the arms, followed by flexion
and adduction.
Terbutaline - ANSWER A medication used to stop or prevent premature labor by
relaxing the uterus, but can cause adverse effects such as dyspnea, tremors, and
nervousness