Question

Describe the continuing nursing care role and responsibilities of the newborn.

You are assisting a postpartum woman in her room with breastfeeding. You observe her newborn spit a great deal of mucus and appear to have difficulty breathing. What would you do in this situation?

Answer 1

In response to a newborn spitting up mucus and struggling to breathe, the nursing responsibility is to immediately clear the airway and monitor vital signs for distress. Pitocin is administered to Janine to induce labor due to minimal cervical dilation at 41 weeks. Newborns undergo significant circulatory and physiological changes post-birth, including the closing of cardiac shunts, thermoregulation, and the establishment of intestinal flora.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nursing Care and Responsibilities for Newborns

Part of the nursing care responsibilities for newborns includes monitoring for signs of distress and facilitating a safe environment for both the infant and the mother after childbirth. If a newborn spits up a great deal of mucus and experiences difficulty breathing, immediate action is required. The nurse should clear the newborn's airway to ensure they can breathe without obstruction, which might involve aspirating mucus from the mouth and nose. It is critical to monitor the newborn's breathing pattern, color, heart rate, and check if there are any signs of respiratory distress such as grunting, nasal flaring, or retractions.

Concerning the observation of Janine's labor at 41 weeks, the administration of pitocin is started to induce or augment labor contractions, as the process has been prolonged and the cervix has dilated minimally. This is a common intervention when labor is not progressing as expected, potentially minimizing complications for both the mother and child.

The transition of circulation at birth involves the closing of cardiac shunts, which occurs as the newborn takes their first breath. This event is critical in shifting blood flow to the previously non-functioning lungs. Additionally, the newborn's kidneys are immature, intensifying the risk for dehydration – therefore attentive monitoring of fluid intake and output is essential.

Newborns are reliant on their caregivers for maintaining thermoregulation and receiving adequate nutrition, such as breast milk or formula, which introduces beneficial bacteria to their sterile gastrointestinal tract, important for digestion and immune function.