Question

While assessing the skin of a 24-hour-old, the nurse notes a pink papular rash with vesicles on the thorax, back, and abdomen. What should the nurse do?

a) Apply lotion
b) Document the finding
c) Initiate isolation precautions
d) Notify the physician

Answer 1

The nurse should document the finding of a pink papular rash with vesicles on a newborn's skin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should document the finding of a pink papular rash with vesicles on the thorax, back, and abdomen while assessing the skin of a 24-hour-old baby. This finding may indicate a condition called erythema toxicum neonatorum, which is a common benign rash that appears in newborns within the first few days of life. It is characterized by pink or yellowish spots or bumps with small fluid-filled vesicles in the center.

Applying lotion is not necessary as this rash is self-resolving and does not require treatment. Initiating isolation precautions or notifying the physician is not warranted for this condition, as it is not contagious or indicative of a serious medical concern.