NCLEX: A 38-week newborn on the mother-baby unit is being evaluated for newborn care on the postpartum unit. Assessment…

Maternal-newborn nursing Health Promotion and Maintenance Reduction of Risk Potential

Case Study

A 38-week newborn on the mother-baby unit is being evaluated for newborn care on the postpartum unit. Assessment data include central cyanosis that does not improve with stimulation. Which nursing action is the priority to keep the client safe?

Question

A. Leave the client alone to promote independence while finishing charting.
B. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.
C. Apply the first intervention in the policy manual without a current assessment.
D. Tell the client symptoms are expected and avoid notifying the health care team.

Rationale

Correct answer: B. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.

Rationale: Client safety requires direct assessment, hazard reduction, and timely escalation rather than assumptions, abandonment, or policy-only actions.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Advanced

Difficulty: Hard

Subtopic: Newborn safety