Final answer:
A jittery and tachypneic newborn may need to be fed a bolus of 10% dextrose in water to address potential hypoglycemia. Pitocin is used to induce labor in cases of stalled labor. The first breath of a newborn alters the circulatory pattern by closing fetal shunts and establishing lung function for oxygen exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a newborn becomes jittery and tachypneic three hours after birth, a nurse should assess the situation to determine the underlying cause. These symptoms may indicate hypoglycemia, which is common in neonates since their neonatal kidneys are still maturing and are inefficient at concentrating urine. A first course of action in such cases might be feeding the newborn a bolus of 10% dextrose in water, generally around 30 mL, to promptly raise blood glucose levels. It is essential to provide this intervention swiftly to prevent further complications arising from hypoglycemia.
An intravenous infusion of pitocin is initiated in scenarios such as with Janine, who is at 41 weeks of gestation with stalled labor, to stimulate contractions and progress the labor since her cervix was found to be only 2 cm dilated and the amniotic sac intact. Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin used to induce or strengthen labor contractions.
The newborn's first breath significantly alters the circulatory pattern by closing the fetal shunts and re-routing blood to inflate the lungs, which now need to supply oxygen independently from the mother's placenta. Lactation also plays a crucial role post-birth, with the transit of breast milk from lactocytes to nipple pores being vital for providing essential nutrients and hydration to the newborn.