Question

A nurse is preparing to administer a vitamin K (Aquamephyton) injection to a newborn. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse to the newborn's mother regarding why this medication is given?

Answer 1

The nurse is administering a vitamin K injection to a newborn to prevent hemorrhages by activating blood clotting. Vitamin K is necessary for the formation of prothrombin, the precursor of thrombin protein, and helps prevent bleeding complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is administering a vitamin K (Aquamephyton) injection to a newborn to prevent hemorrhages by activating the process of blood clotting. Vitamin K is necessary for the formation of prothrombin, a blood plasma protein that converts fibrinogen into fibrin, the fibrous protein that holds blood clots together. Without sufficient vitamin K, newborns may experience increased clotting time and continuous bleeding, especially during delivery.