A nurse is assessing a newborn who is displaying jitteriness, poor feeding, and seizures.
The nurse suspects the newborn is experiencing:.
Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Hypertension
Hypocalcemia
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is choice B. Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood sugar level is too low, which can affect the brain function and cause symptoms such as jitteriness, poor feeding, and seizures. Hypoglycemia is common in newborns, especially in preterm, small for gestational age, and infants of diabetic mothers.
Choice A is wrong because hyperglycemia is a condition where the blood sugar level is too high, which can cause dehydration, increased urination, and ketoacidosis. Hyperglycemia does not usually cause seizures in newborns.
Choice C is wrong because hypertension is a condition where the blood pressure is too high, which can cause damage to the blood vessels and organs. Hypertension can cause seizures in older children and adults, but it is rare in newborns.
Choice D is wrong because hypocalcemia is a condition where the calcium level in the blood is too low, which can affect the nerve and muscle function and cause symptoms such as twitching, spasms, and tetany. Hypocalcemia can also cause seizures in newborns, but it is less common than hypoglycemia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. Jitteriness.Jitteriness or tremors are the most common signs of hypoglycemia in a newborn baby.
Hypoglycemia is when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood is too low.
Glucose is the main source of fuel for the brain and the body.In a newborn baby, low blood sugar can happen for many reasons, such as poor nutrition for the mother during pregnancy, making too much insulin because the mother has diabetes, or not enough oxygen at birth.
Choice B. Tachycardia is wrong because it is not a typical sign of hypoglycemia in a newborn baby.
Tachycardia is a fast heart rate that can be caused by other conditions, such as fever, infection, or dehydration.
Choice C. Hyperthermia is wrong because it is not a sign of hypoglycemia in a newborn baby.
Hyperthermia is a high body temperature that can be caused by overheating, infection, or inflammation.Hypoglycemia can cause low body temperature (hypothermia), not high body temperature.
Choice D. Hypertonia is wrong because it is not a sign of hypoglycemia in a newborn baby.
Hypertonia is increased muscle tone or stiffness that can be caused by brain damage, nerve damage, or genetic disorders.Hypoglycemia can cause weak or floppy muscles (poor muscle tone), not increased muscle tone.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B. Hypoglycemia.
The newborn is at risk for hypoglycemia because of the maternal diabetes and the prematurity.Maternal diabetes causes fetal hyperinsulinism, which persists after birth and lowers the blood glucose level of the newborn.Prematurity causes inadequate glycogen stores and immature enzyme function, which also contribute to hypoglycemia.Hypoglycemia can cause symptoms such as tachycardia, cyanosis, seizures, and apnea.
Choice A is wrong because hyperglycemia is unlikely in a newborn with hyperinsulinism and deficient glycogen stores.
Choice C is wrong because hypertension is not a common complication of maternal diabetes or prematurity in newborns.
Choice D is wrong because hypothyroidism is not related to maternal diabetes or prematurity.Hypothyroidism can cause symptoms such as lethargy, poor feeding, jaundice, and hypotonia.
Normal ranges for blood glucose levels in newborns vary depending on the age, weight, and feeding status of the baby.
Generally, a level below 40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L) in symptomatic term newborns, below 45 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L) in asymptomatic term newborns between 24 hours and 48 hours of life, or below 30 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) in preterm newborns in the first 48 hours is considered hypoglyc
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