Question

A client has a cesarean birth. The nurse monitors the newborn's respirations because infants experiencing a cesarean birth are more prone to atelectasis. Why does this occur?

A. The rib cage is not compressed, then released during birth
B. The sudden change in temperature at birth causes aspiration
C. There is usually oxygen deprivation following a cesarean birth
D. There is no gravity during the birth that promotes drainage from the lung

Answer 1

Infants born through cesarean section are more prone to atelectasis because they do not experience the compression and release of the rib cage that occurs during vaginal birth, which helps expel amniotic fluid from the lungs. Surfactant is crucial for lung inflation and the transition from placental to pulmonary respiration is initiated by increased carbon dioxide levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to why newborns who have been delivered via cesarean section are more prone to atelectasis, a condition where the alveoli are collapsed and not taking part in gas exchange. The correct answer is A. The rib cage is not compressed, then released during birth. Infants born through vaginal delivery experience compression of the thoracic cavity, which helps expel amniotic fluid from the lungs. This compression is absent during a cesarean delivery, which can result in retained fluid and an increased risk of atelectasis. Moreover, at birth, the first breaths are important for inflating the lungs and clearing out remaining fluid, facilitated by the release of surfactant which reduces alveolar surface tension. The transition from placental to pulmonary respiration is complex and is driven by various physiological changes, including the stimulatory effect of increased carbon dioxide levels that drive the infant to take their first breath.