The following are the characteristics of the first stool of a newborn, except:

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2022

Explanation

Meconium is the first stool of a newborn, and its characteristics are important indicators of neonatal health.
The statement that meconium lacks bile pigment is incorrect, making it the answer to this 'except' question.
The dark greenish-black color of meconium is specifically caused by the presence of bile pigments, primarily biliverdin, which are secreted into the fetal intestine during gestation.

Option A: This is a true statement. Meconium is odorless because the newborn's gastrointestinal tract is sterile at birth and does not yet have the bacteria that cause stool odor.
Option B: This is a true statement. 'Tenacious' means sticky and thick, which accurately describes the tar-like consistency of meconium.
Option D: This is a true statement. Meconium is composed of substances the fetus swallows in the uterus, which includes amniotic fluid containing shed epidermal (skin) cells and lanugo (fine fetal hair).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Characteristics of meconium (newborn's first stool) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must meticulously document the time, color, and consistency of the newborn's first stool. This is a critical part of the initial newborn assessment.
Failure to pass meconium within 24-48 hours is a significant red flag that must be reported to the physician. It can indicate serious conditions like Hirschsprung's disease, meconium ileus (often associated with cystic fibrosis), or an imperforate anus.
What if? If the amniotic fluid was meconium-stained at birth, the nurse's priority shifts to assessing the newborn for respiratory distress. This indicates potential meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), a serious condition where meconium is inhaled into the lungs, requiring immediate intervention.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify that this is an 'EXCEPT' question. Your goal is to find the statement that is FALSE.
Recall the fundamental characteristics of a newborn's first stool, known as meconium.
Evaluate each option against your knowledge:
Is meconium odorless? Yes, because the newborn's gut is sterile.
Is meconium tenacious (sticky)? Yes, it's famously tar-like.
Does it contain cells and hair? Yes, from swallowed amniotic fluid.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Characteristics of meconium (newborn's first stool)
Stem keywords: first stool, newborn, characteristics
Lead-in keywords: except
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the exception among the given characteristics.

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E6 Obstetrics Williams pp. 4-10, 3-10

E6 Text Book Of Pediatric Nursing 3rd Panchali Pal — Part 1 (pp 36-238 of 713) p. 146-148

Practise the full IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.