Question

The nurse is preparing to administer phytonadione to a newborn. which statement made by the parents indicates understanding why the nurse is administering this medication?

A) "The medication will prevent jaundice in our baby."
B) "This will help with our baby's respiratory distress."
C) "It's to boost our baby's immune system."
D) "The medication will prevent bleeding in our baby."

Answer 1

The medication phytonadione is given to newborns to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), which can lead to serious bleeding issues due to the lack of vitamin K, necessary for blood clotting.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement made by the parents indicating understanding of why phytonadione is administered to a newborn is: "The medication will prevent bleeding in our baby." Phytonadione, also known as vitamin K1, is given to newborns to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), a condition that can cause serious bleeding in newborns due to a lack of vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting.

Newborns have low levels of vitamin K because it does not cross the placenta well during pregnancy, and the newborn gut does not yet have the bacteria that produce vitamin K. The administration of phytonadione soon after birth prevents this potential bleeding risk.