Question

What immediate intervention should occur if meconium passage occurred in utero?

a) Initiate immediate cesarean section
b) Administer antibiotics to the mother
c) Perform suctioning of the newborn's airways
d) Administer oxytocin to stimulate uterine contractions

Answer 1

The immediate intervention that should occur is c) Perform suctioning of the newborn's airways.

Step-by-step explanation:

Meconium is the first stool of a newborn and is typically passed after birth. However, in some cases, the fetus may pass meconium in utero, which can lead to complications if not addressed promptly.

Meconium can be aspirated into the newborn's lungs, causing respiratory distress and increasing the risk of infections like pneumonia. It is crucial to clear the airways of meconium as soon as possible to prevent further complications. So therefore the immediate intervention for meconium passage in utero is to perform suctioning of the newborn's airways to prevent respiratory distress and infections caused by aspirated meconium. The correct answer is c) Perform suctioning of the newborn's airways.