During morning rounds in the normal newborn nursery, a practical nurse evaluates a 6-hour-old term neonate delivered at 39 weeks of gestation. The infant's current axillary temperature is 97.2°F (36.2°C) and the respiratory rate is 68 breaths per minute. The nurse also notes the presence of mild expiratory grunting. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- Report the vital signs and physical findings to the supervising registered nurse immediately.Cevap
- BDocument the clinical findings in the medical record as expected transitional behavior.
- CWrap the infant in two warm blankets and reassess the temperature in one hour.
- DConduct a comprehensive clinical assessment to determine the underlying cause of the distress.
Cevap
The practical nurse should immediately report the vital signs and physical findings to the supervising registered nurse.
The correct action is to promptly notify the supervising registered nurse because the neonate's vital signs and grunting indicate respiratory distress and cold stress. Recognizing these acute abnormalities and escalating the information ensures the infant receives appropriate, timely medical interventions, which perfectly aligns with the practical nurse's scope of practice.
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Anahtar Kavram
Recognizing signs of neonatal respiratory distress and adhering to the practical nurse's scope of practice by reporting abnormal findings.