Question

The LPN provides care for a newborn client who is breastfed every 2 to 3 hours. Which does the LPN expect to observe when changing the client's diapers?

a) Dark green, sticky stools
b) Hard, formed stools
c) Yellow, seedy stools
d) Watery, foul-smelling stools

Answer 1

An LPN can expect to observe yellow, seedy stools in the diaper of a breastfed newborn, which indicates a normal transition from meconium to digested breast milk stools.

Step-by-step explanation:

The LPN expects to observe yellow, seedy stools in the diapers of a newborn who is breastfed every 2 to 3 hours. Initially, newborns pass a tarry, greenish-black substance known as meconium. As the baby starts feeding on breast milk, the stools transition to yellow, seedy stools, which is a normal and healthy stool pattern for a breastfed infant. Formed, hard stools or watery, foul-smelling stools are not expected and may indicate a problem such as dehydration or an infection. However, the seedy yellow stools are perfectly normal as the meconium is cleared and the baby begins digesting the breast milk effectively.