Question

A pregnant woman was admitted for induction of labor at 43 weeks of gestation with sure dates. A nonstress test (NST) in the obstetrician's office revealed a nonreactive tracing. On artificial rupture of membranes, thick, meconium-stained fluid was noted. The nurse caring for the infant after birth should anticipate:

a. Meconium aspiration, hypoglycemia, and dry, cracked skin.
b. Excessive vernix caseosa covering the skin, lethargy, and respiratory distress syndrome.
c. Golden yellow- to green stained-skin and nails, absence of scalp hair, and an increased amount of subcutaneous fat.
d. Hyperglycemia, hyperthermia, and an alert, wide-eyed appearance.

Answer 1

The nurse should anticipate meconium aspiration, potential bacterial infections, and possible skin and nail staining in the newborn due to the presence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse caring for an infant born at 43 weeks of gestation with a nonreactive nonstress test (NST) and thick, meconium-stained fluid should anticipate potential complications such as meconium aspiration, which can cause labored breathing, a barrel-shaped chest, or a low Apgar score. Due to fetal hypoxia, which may stimulate gastrointestinal peristalsis and relaxation of the sphincter, meconium can also obstruct the newborn's airways, interfere with surfactant function, or cause pulmonary inflammation or hypertension. Additionally, the passage of meconium can indicate fetal distress and make the newborn and mother more vulnerable to bacterial infections, such as neonatal sepsis, due to inflammation of the fetal membranes or the uterine lining. The child may also exhibit signs like golden yellow to green-stained skin and nails due to the meconium exposure, but hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia are not typically direct consequences of meconium aspiration.