Vitamin K at birth is administered to among new born?

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

Newborns have low vitamin K stores due to poor placental transfer and a sterile gut that cannot yet synthesize the vitamin.
Vitamin K is an essential cofactor for the liver to produce critical blood clotting factors (II, VII, IX, and X).
A prophylactic injection of vitamin K at birth effectively prevents Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a condition that can cause severe internal and external bleeding.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a single intramuscular dose of 0.5 to 1 mg of vitamin K for all newborns.

Option B: Vitamin K's primary role is in hemostasis (blood clotting), not in the development or function of the immune system.
Option C: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, not an antimicrobial agent. It has no properties to fight off bacteria or viruses.
Option D: While it corrects a specific, single-vitamin deficiency, it does not address general malnutrition, which is a complex condition involving deficiencies in calories, protein, and multiple vitamins and minerals.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Prophylactic administration of Vitamin K to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in newborns as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The nurse's primary role is to administer the vitamin K injection safely (typically 1 mg IM into the vastus lateralis muscle) within the first few hours of life.
A critical nursing responsibility is educating parents on the importance of the vitamin K shot, as refusal can place the infant at risk for life-threatening bleeding, particularly intracranial hemorrhage.
What if? If parents refuse the injection, the nurse must thoroughly explain the risks of VKDB, have them sign a refusal form, document the conversation, and provide education on the signs of bleeding (e.g., bruising, blood in stool/vomit, oozing from the umbilicus) to watch for at home.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on standard neonatal care.
Identify the key terms: 'Vitamin K' and 'new born'.
Recall the physiological state of a newborn: they have a sterile gut and receive limited nutrients across the placenta.
Connect Vitamin K to its primary function in the body, which is its role in the synthesis of clotting factors.
Evaluate the options. 'Prevent excessive bleeding' directly relates to the function of clotting factors. The other options (immunity, infection, malnutrition) are unrelated to Vitamin K's primary role.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Prophylactic administration of Vitamin K to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in newborns.
Stem keywords: Vitamin K, new born, at birth
Lead-in keywords: administered to

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 pp. 1138-1140, 527-529

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 16-33

Practise the full PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

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