Newborn Physiologic Adjustments (Gastrointestinal System)

Question 1

The full term newborn is capable of swallowing, digesting, metabolizing, and absorbing what?

Answer 1

Proteins and simple carbohydrates and emulsifying fats.

Question 2

When do labial tubercles (sucking calluses) on the upper lip disappear?

Answer 2

12 months of age

Question 3

Sucking is a reflex behavior that begins in utero as earl as

Answer 3

15 to 16 wks

Question 4

As early as ____ wks some infants can coordinate sucking and swallowing while breastfeeding.

Answer 4

28 wks

Question 5

Bottle-feeding infants may not coordinate sucking and swallowing until ______ ?

Answer 5

32 to 34 wks

Question 6

The infant is bale to move food from the lips to the pharynx. What nursing intervention will help?

Answer 6

Placing the nipple (breast or bottle) well inside the baby’s mouth is necessary.

Question 7

When do teeth begin to develop?

Answer 7

In utero, with enamel formation continuing until about 10 yrs.

Question 8

Where is the highest concentration of bacteria found after birth?

Answer 8

Lower portion of the intestine, particularly in the large intestine.

Question 9

Regurgitation during the first day or two of life can be decreased by..

Answer 9

Avoiding overfeeding, and burping the infant and positioning them with the head slightly elevated.

Question 10

What two enzymes are not functional at birth?

Answer 10

Pancreatic amylase and lipase

Question 11

Amylase is produced by the _________ _________ after approximately ________ and by the pancreas at approximately ______ of age.

Answer 11

Salivary glands
3 months.
6 months

Question 12

What is meconium?

Answer 12

Fills the lower intestine at birth. It is formed during fetal life from the amniotic fluid and its constituents, intestinal secretions (including bilirubin), and cells (shed from the mucosa).

Question 13

What is the description of meconium?

Answer 13

Greenish black and viscous an contains occult blood. First maconimr passed is usually sterile.

Question 14

When is meconium usually passed in healthy infants?

Answer 14

12 to 48 hrs of life. And almost all do so by 48 hrs.

Question 15

What are some hunger cues of an infant?

Answer 15

Random hand to mouth movement

Sucking of fingers

Question 16

What is a sign of good sphincter tone?

Answer 16

An active rectal “wink” reflex. (Contraction of the anal sphincter muscle in response to touch)

Question 17

Abdominal distention at birth usually indicates:

Answer 17

A serious disorder such as a ruptured viscus (from abdominal wall defects) or tumors.

Question 18

Distenition that occurs later can be a result of?

Answer 18

Overfeeding or signal gastrointestinal disorders

Question 19

What is a sign of diaphragmatic hernia?

Answer 19

A scaphoid (sunken) abdomen, with bowel sounds heard in the chest and signs of respiratory distress.

Question 20

What does fullness below the umbilicus indicate?

Answer 20

distended bladder

Question 21

Passage of meconium from the vagina or urinary meatus is a sign of a possible…

Answer 21

Fistulous tract from the rectum

Question 22

What all should be documented?

Answer 22

All output.
Amount and frequency of regurgitation after feedings.
Time, color, and character of the infant’s first stool.

Question 23

Color change, gagging, and projectile vomiting occur in association with…

Answer 23

Esophageal and tracheoesophageal anomalies.