Comprehensive Nursing Pharmacology Q 216

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A nurse instructor is about to administer a vitamin K injection to a newborn. The student nurse asks the instructor regarding the purpose of the injection. The appropriate response would be:

  

     A. "The vitamin K will protect the newborn from bleeding."

     B. "The vitamin K will prevent the occurrence of hyperbilirubinemia."

     C. "The vitamin K provides active immunity."

     D. "The vitamin K will serve as protection against jaundice and anemia."

    

    

Correct Answer: A. “The vitamin K will protect the newborn from bleeding.”

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Vitamin K is administered to the newborn in order to prevent bleeding disorders. Vitamin K promotes the formation of clotting factors II, VII, IX & X in which the infants lack because of insufficient intestinal bacteria needed for synthesizing fat-soluble vitamin K.

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Option B: Vitamin K does not prevent the occurrence of hyperbilirubinemia.

Option C: Vitamin K does not promote the development of immunity.

Option D: Vitamin K doesn’t prevent the newborn from having jaundice or anemia.

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