Newborn Infant Health: Understanding Meconium Stool
What conclusion should the nurse draw from a 6-hour-old infant passing an unformed, black, tarlike stool?
1) Meconium stool that is expected at this time
2) Meconium stool expected at the time of birth
3) Transitional stool expected at this time
4) Transitional stool that is expected later
Answer:
The nurse should conclude that the 6-hour-old infant passed meconium stool, which is a normal occurrence in newborns.
When a 6-hour-old infant passes an unformed, black, tarlike stool, the nurse should recognize it as meconium stool. Meconium is the first stool that newborns pass after birth, and it typically has a dark, sticky, tarry appearance.
Meconium is composed of substances that the infant ingested while in the womb, such as amniotic fluid, mucus, skin cells, and other waste products. Its passage is a normal part of a newborn's digestive process and indicates that the baby's gastrointestinal tract is functioning as expected.
Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to understand the characteristics of meconium stool to provide appropriate care for newborn infants.