Page 819 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

28).

10. Provide cord care.

a. Umbilical clamp can be removed after
24 hours if cord is dried and occluded
and is not bleeding.
b. Teach the mother how to perform cord
care.
c. Keep the cord clean and dry; alcohol
wipes may be prescribed for cleaning
the cord only if it becomes soiled.
d. Keep the diaper from covering the cord;
fold the diaper below the cord.
e. Assess the cord for odor, edema, or
discharge.
f. The newborn is typically washed via a
sponge bath until the cord falls off
(within 7 to 10 days). Follow alternate
instructions if provided by PHCP.
11. Provide circumcision care.
a. Apply petroleum jelly gauze to the
penis except when a PlastiBell is used.
b. Remove petroleum jelly gauze, if
applied, after the first voiding
following circumcision.
c. Observe for edema, infection, or
bleeding from the circumcision site.
d. Teach the mother how to care for the
circumcision site.
e. Clean the penis after each voiding by
squeezing warm water over the penis.
f. A milky covering over the glans penis is
normal and should not be disrupted.
g. Monitor for urinary retention.

Educate the parents and caregivers
that the newborn needs to void within
24 hours after the circumcision.
F. Metabolic system and gastrointestinal system
1. Newborns are able to digest simple carbohydrates but
are unable to digest fats because of the lack of lipase.
2. Proteins may be broken down only partially, so they
may serve as antigens and provoke an allergic
reaction.
3. The newborn has a small stomach capacity (less than
10 mL at birth, increasing to about 90 mL by day 10),
with rapid intestinal peristalsis (bowel emptying time

819