The nurse administers vitamin K to the newborn for which of the following reasons?

Question

1. Most mothers have a diet deficient in vitamin K, which results in the infant being deficient.
2. Vitamin K prevents the synthesis of prothrombin in the liver and must be given by injection.
3. Bacteria that synthesize vitamin K are not present in the newborn's intestinal tract.
4. The supply of vitamin K is inadequate for at least 3 to 4 months, and the newborn must be supplemented.

Answer 1

3
1. Incorrect. Vitamin K is provided because the newborn does not have the intestinal flora to produce this vitamin for the first week. Maternal diet has no bearing on the amount of vi-tamin K found in the newborn.
2. Incorrect. Vitamin K promotes the formation of clotting factors in the liver and is used for the prevention and treatment of hemorrhagic disease in the newborn.
3. Correct. This is an accurate statement.
4. Incorrect. Vitamin K is not produced in the intestinal tract of the newborn until after mi-croorganisms are introduced. By day 8, normal newborns are able to produce their own vita-min K.