Maternal and Child Nursing Flashcards

A nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about folic acid supplementation. When should supplementation ideally begin?

Answer: At least 1 month before conception and through the first trimester

Folic acid (400–800 mcg/day) should be started at least 1 month (ideally 3 months) before conception and continued through the first trimester to prevent neural tube defects, which occur during the first weeks of development, often before pregnancy is known.

A postpartum patient is assessed 2 hours after delivery. Her fundus is firm but deviated to the right of the midline. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: A full urinary bladder

A deviated uterine fundus (typically to the right) is most commonly caused by a full bladder displacing the uterus. The nurse should assist the patient to void. If the fundus is boggy and displaced, atony with bladder distension is the cause.

A nurse is assessing a child with suspected intussusception. Which clinical finding is classic for this condition?

Answer: Currant jelly stools (blood and mucus mixed stool)

Intussusception (telescoping of bowel) classically presents with colicky abdominal pain, a sausage-shaped abdominal mass, and 'currant jelly' stools — dark red mucus mixed with blood — caused by mucosal ischemia and sloughing.

The nurse is preparing to administer a vaccine to a 2-month-old infant. Which vaccine is given at this age?

Answer: DTaP, Hib, PCV13, IPV, and Hepatitis B

At 2 months, the recommended vaccines include DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), Hib, PCV13 (pneumococcal), IPV (polio), and the second dose of hepatitis B. MMR and Varicella are given at 12–15 months.

A nurse is caring for a 32-week premature infant. Which condition is the premature infant most at risk for due to surfactant deficiency?

Answer: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Surfactant deficiency in premature infants causes respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), formerly called hyaline membrane disease. Surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension; its absence leads to alveolar collapse, hypoxemia, and respiratory failure.

The nurse is monitoring a woman in active labor and notes the FHR drops to 80 bpm with each contraction and recovers only 60 seconds after contraction ends. This pattern is:

Answer: Late decelerations — indicates uteroplacental insufficiency

Late decelerations begin after the peak of the contraction and recover after it ends. They indicate uteroplacental insufficiency — the placenta cannot provide adequate oxygenation during contractions. This is a non-reassuring pattern requiring immediate intervention.