Question

While assessing the integument of a 24-hour-old newborn, the nurse notes a pink, papular rash with vesicles superimposed on the thorax, back, and abdomen. The nurse should:

a. Notify the physician immediately.
b. Move the newborn to an isolation nursery.
c. Document the finding as erythema toxicum.
d. Take the newborn's temperature and obtain a culture of one of the vesicles.

Answer 1

The nurse should document the finding as erythema toxicum, which is a common rash in newborns that does not require treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should document the finding as erythema toxicum. Erythema toxicum is a common rash that appears in approximately 50% of newborns within the first few days of life. It is characterized by pink, papular rash with vesicles superimposed on the thorax, back, and abdomen. The rash is typically benign and does not require any specific treatment.