Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (NCC) Practice Exam - Study Guide & Practice Questions

Placing a baby with a diaphragmatic hernia on the affected side is beneficial for facilitating lung expansion. When a baby is positioned on the affected side, it helps to encourage the mediastinal shift towards the unaffected side, allowing the functional lung to expand more effectively. This positioning aids in optimizing respiratory function by improving ventilation and reducing the pressure on the healthy lung.

In contrast, placing the baby on its back could lead to increased pressure on the thoracic cavity, potentially worsening respiratory distress due to further compression of the affected lung. An upright position may not provide the advantage of directing the mediastinal shift appropriately, and placing the baby on its stomach can again compress the thoracic area and may hinder breathing efforts. Thus, positioning on the affected side is the most supportive approach for lung expansion in this scenario.