Normal Variations and Abnormal Findings
Normal Variations and Abnormal Findings ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is examining the eyes of a newborn who was born at 38 weeks of gestation.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
The absence of a red reflex is a sign of a serious eye problem, such as a cataract or retinoblastoma.
The red reflex test is done by shining a light into the baby’s eyes and looking for a red reflection from the retina. It is part of the newborn physical screening examination.
Subconjunctival haemorrhages are small blood spots on the white part of the eye that is caused by pressure during delivery. They are harmless and usually disappear within a few weeks
The inability to track objects is not expected in a newborn. Babies can usually follow objects with their eyes by 2 to 3 months of age.
Because unequal pupil sizes can indicate a neurological problem or an eye injury. Pupil sizes should be checked and measured during the newborn physical examination.
Presence of subconjunctival haemorrhages.
Subconjunctival haemorrhages are small blood spots on the white part of the eye that is caused by pressure during delivery. They are harmless and usually disappear within a few weeks.
Choice A is wrong because the absence of a red reflex is a sign of a serious eye problem, such as a cataract or retinoblastoma.
The red reflex test is done by shining a light into the baby’s eyes and looking for a red reflection from the retina. It is part of the newborn physical screening examination.
Choice C is wrong because the inability to track objects is not expected in a newborn. Babies can usually follow objects with their eyes by 2 to 3 months of age.
Choice D is wrong because unequal pupil sizes can indicate a neurological problem or an eye injury. Pupil sizes should be checked and measured during the newborn physical examination.