First stool of new born is called -

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022

Explanation

Meconium is the correct medical term for the first stool of a newborn.
It is composed of substances ingested in utero, including amniotic fluid, lanugo, mucus, and intestinal epithelial cells.
Its appearance is characteristically thick, sticky, and dark greenish-black.
Passage of meconium within the first 24-48 hours is a key sign of a healthy and patent gastrointestinal tract.

Option B: Colostrum is the initial breast milk produced by the mother, not the newborn's stool. It is crucial for providing passive immunity.
Option C: Melena refers to black, tarry stools caused by digested blood from an upper gastrointestinal bleed. It is a pathological finding, not the normal first stool.
Option D: Hematochezia is the passage of fresh, bright red blood in the stool, indicating a lower gastrointestinal bleed. This is an abnormal finding.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Newborn Assessment and Terminology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's primary responsibility is to document the time, color, and consistency of the first stool. Failure to pass meconium within 48 hours must be reported as it may indicate a serious condition like Hirschsprung's disease or an imperforate anus.
The presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid during labor is a sign of potential fetal distress and alerts the team to the risk of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS), which can cause severe respiratory problems in the newborn.
What if? If a newborn passes a white or clay-colored stool instead of meconium, this is a red flag. It could indicate a biliary obstruction (e.g., biliary atresia), which is a surgical emergency requiring immediate investigation.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core subject of the question: newborn physiology.
Focus on the keywords: 'first stool' and 'new born'.
This is a direct recall question that tests your knowledge of specific medical terminology related to neonates.
Recall the term for the initial stool passed by an infant.
Evaluate the options: 'Meconium' is the specific term. 'Colostrum' is milk. 'Melena' and 'hematochezia' relate to bloody stools and are signs of pathology, not the normal first stool.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QxBW_tJH4-Zw9-pwgrZyzk

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 3-10

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) p. 156-158

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