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1. A preterm infant born at 28 weeks gestation is admitted
to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with respiratory
distress syndrome (RDS). The nurse knows that this
condition is caused by:
a) Infection of the lungs
b) Congenital heart defect
c) Insufficient surfactant production*
d) Meconium aspiration
Rationale: RDS is a common complication of preterm birth
that results from inadequate production of surfactant, a
substance that reduces surface tension and prevents
alveolar collapse in the lungs. Without enough surfactant,
the lungs become stiff and difficult to inflate, leading to
hypoxia and acidosis.
2. A term infant with a birth weight of 4.5 kg is diagnosed
with macrosomia. The nurse should monitor this infant
closely for signs of:
a) Hypoglycemia*
b) Hyperbilirubinemia
c) Polycythemia
d) Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Macrosomia is defined as a birth weight above
the 90th percentile for gestational age. It is often associated
with maternal diabetes, obesity, or excessive weight gain
during pregnancy. Infants with macrosomia are at risk of
hypoglycemia due to increased insulin production in
response to high glucose levels in utero. Hypoglycemia canÂÂ
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