While working in the newborn ICU, the nurses receive a call that an infant, gestational age of 23 weeks, is being air flighted to the level 3 trauma nursery. The priority intervention for this infant would be

Question

A)
insertion of an umbilical line for fluids.
B)
intubation and mechanical ventilation.
C)
insertion of a feeding tube.
D)
insertion of an intraventricular catheter.

Answer 1

Ans:
B

Feedback:

The type II alveolar cells that produce surfactant do not begin to mature until 26th to 27th week of gestation; consequently, many premature infants have difficulty in producing sufficient amounts of surfactant. This can lead to alveolar collapse and severe respiratory distress. The only answer (B) to facilitate respiratory is mechanical ventilation. IV fluids and nutrition are important but not a priority of airway/breathing problems. There is no indication that the infant has increased ICP and would need an intraventricular catheter.