Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 30 min old.
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Rationale:
✅ Condition: Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS)
🔹 Meconium Aspiration Syndrome occurs when a newborn inhales a mixture of meconium-stained amniotic fluid and amniotic fluid into the lungs either before, during, or immediately after delivery.
🔹 It is most common in post-term infants, especially those delivered at or beyond 41 weeks, due to increased fetal stress and meconium passage.
🔹 Respiratory findings such as expiratory grunting, fine crackles, and rapid, shallow breathing are early signs suggestive of MAS.
🔹 The presence of green-stained vernix and fingernails, and meconium-stained fluid are red flags that support this diagnosis.
🔹 If aspirated, meconium can block airways, cause inflammation, and lead to respiratory distress, hypoxemia, or pulmonary hypertension.
🔹 Early identification and intervention are essential to reduce complications like pneumonia or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).
✅ Client Finding: Meconium-stained fluid noted during labor
🔹 Meconium in the amniotic fluid indicates that the fetus experienced some intrauterine stress, such as hypoxia, prompting passage of meconium before delivery.
🔹 It is a significant risk factor for meconium aspiration, especially if the infant gasps or breathes in utero or during initial cries.
🔹 In this case, green-stained vernix and fingernails confirm exposure to meconium, supporting the risk of aspiration.
🔹 The newborn is post-term (42 weeks), further elevating the risk because meconium passage is more common in overdue pregnancies.
🔹 Although the Apgar scores are high, the respiratory signs (grunting, crackles) suggest developing compromise that aligns with early MAS.
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This question is from Custom NIJR209 Final ASSESSMENT SP-2024 which contains 9 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN Custom Exam(s)
- Answer Choices: 0