High-Risk Pregnancy and Newborn Adaptation · NCLEX Exam

Why does a newborn born at 28 weeks require assisted ventilation?

  1. Excess surfactant flooding the immature alveoli
  2. Insufficient surfactant causing respiratory distress syndrome
  3. Fully developed diaphragmatic and intercostal control
  4. Over-mature alveolar structure resisting expansion
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Correct answer: Insufficient surfactant causing respiratory distress syndrome

Premature infants often lack sufficient surfactant, leading to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and the need for assisted ventilation.

Difficulty: Medium Question 21 of 23

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