A client delivered her first-born son 4 hours ago. She asks the nurse what the white cheeselike substance is under the baby’s arms.

A client delivered her first-born son 4 hours ago. She asks the nurse what the white cheeselike substance is under the baby’s arms.

The nurse should respond:
A . “This is a normal skin variation in newborns. It will go away in a few days.”
B . “Let me have a closer look at it. The baby may have an infection.”
C . “This material, called vernix, covered the baby before it was born. It will disappear in a few days.”
D . “Babies sometimes have sebaceous glands that get plugged at birth. This substance is an example of that condition.”

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

(A) This response identifies the fact that vernix is a normal neonatal variation, but it does not teach the client medical terms that may be useful in understanding other healthcare personnel.

(B) This response may raise maternal anxiety and incorrectly identifies a normal neonatal variation.

(C) This response correctly identifies this neonatal variation and helps the client to understand medical terms as well as the characteristics of her newborn.

(D) Blocked sebaceous glands produce milia, particularly present on the nose.