Practice Question
A new mother asks the nurse, "Why are my baby's hands and feet blue?" The nurse explains this is a common and temporary condition known as which of the following?
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Correct Answer:
Acrocyanosis
Rationale:
💠 Acrocyanosis is a common and normal finding in newborns, characterized by bluish discoloration of the hands and feet while the central body remains pink.
💠 It occurs due to immature peripheral circulation and vasomotor control, causing reduced blood flow to the extremities in the first hours or days after birth.
💠 This condition is generally benign and temporary, improving as the infant’s circulatory system adapts to extrauterine life.
💠 Importantly, with acrocyanosis, the lips and trunk should remain pink, distinguishing it from central cyanosis, which is more concerning.
💠 Reassuring the mother that acrocyanosis is expected and self-resolving helps reduce anxiety and promotes understanding of normal newborn adaptation.
Harlequin color
💠This describes a temporary color change where one side of the newborn’s body is pink and the other is pale, related to transient vasomotor instability.
💠 It does not typically present as isolated blue hands and feet, so it does not match the mother’s description.
Erythema toxicum
💠This is a common newborn rash, appearing as small erythematous papules or pustules, often called a “newborn rash” or “flea-bite rash.”
💠 It involves skin lesions, not diffuse bluish discoloration of the hands and feet.
Vernix caseosa
💠Vernix is the white, cheese-like protective coating on the newborn’s skin at birth.
💠 It is a substance on the skin, not a color change in the extremities, and therefore does not explain bluish hands and feet.
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This question is from ATI Maternal Newborn which contains 27 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Maternal & Newborn Care
- Answer Choices: 4