Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 84%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A nurse is planning care immediately following birth for a newborn who has a myelomeningocele that is leaking cerebrospinal fluid.Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics. This action is important in preventing infection post-surgery. Antibiotics help to target a wide range of potential pathogens that could cause infection, reducing the risk of complications. Monitoring the rectal temperature every 4 hours (B) may be necessary but does not directly address infection prevention. Cleaning the site with povidone-iodine (A) is important for cleanliness but does not prevent infection as effectively as antibiotics. Preparing for surgical closure after 72 hours (C) is a timing issue and does not directly impact infection prevention.