Question

An infant is admitted to the nursery after a difficult shoulder birth. For what condition should the nurse assess this newborn?

A. Facial paralysis
B. Cephalhematoma
C. Brachial plexus injury
D. Spinal cord syndrome

Answer 1

After a difficult shoulder birth, a newborn should be assessed for a brachial plexus injury, which could lead to weakness or paralysis of the arm due to nerve damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

An infant admitted to the nursery after a difficult shoulder birth should be assessed for C. Brachial plexus injury. This condition is a result of nerve damage and can occur due to the stretching or tearing of the brachial plexus during a difficult birth, especially one involving shoulder dystocia where the infant's shoulder is caught behind the mother's pelvic bone. Brachial plexus injuries can lead to weakness or paralysis of the arm. Though other options like A. Facial paralysis or B. Cephalhematoma (a type of bleeding that occurs under the scalp) could also be potential conditions following traumatic births, the specific mention of a 'difficult shoulder birth' is most indicative of a brachial plexus injury, which affects the nerves responsible for movement and sensation in the upper extremities.