A nurse is assessing a newborn’s vital signs at 1 hour of age.

Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

The correct answer is choice A. Glycogen.Preterm newborns have limited stores of glycogen, which is a substance made from glucose that is stored in the liver and muscle cells to be used later for energy.When blood glucose levels are low, the hormone glucagon signals the cells to convert glycogen back into glucose and release it into the bloodstream.However, preterm newborns have a reduced ability to produce glucagon and to use gluconeogenesis, which is the process of making new glucose from other sources.Therefore, they are at risk of hypoglycemia, which is a condition where blood glucose levels are too low to support normal brain function.

Choice B is wrong because glucose is the sugar that travels through the blood to fuel the cells, not a substance that is stored for later use.

Choice C is wrong because insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose from the blood, not a substance that is stored for later use.

Choice D is wrong because glucagon is a hormone that triggers the release of glucose from the liver and muscle cells, not a substance that is stored for later use.

The correct answer is choice A. Hypersensitivity.Erythromycin eye ointment is an antibiotic that can cause allergic reactions in some newborns, such as irritation, redness, swelling, or cloudy eyes.

This is a potential adverse reaction to this medication that the nurse should monitor for.

Choice B. Glaucoma is wrong because glaucoma is a condition that causes increased pressure in the eye and can damage the optic nerve.

It is not caused by erythromycin eye ointment.

Choice C. Cataracts is wrong because cataracts are a condition that causes clouding of the lens of the eye and can impair vision.

It is not caused by erythromycin eye ointment.

Choice D. Strabismus is wrong because strabismus is a condition that causes misalignment of the eyes and can affect depth perception.

It is not caused by erythromycin eye ointment.

Erythromycin eye ointment is used to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, which is an infection of the eye surface that affects newborns within the first month of life.It can be caused by bacteria such as chlamydia or gonorrhea that can enter the baby’s eyes during childbirth and cause permanent damage to the corneas.Erythromycin eye ointment can help prevent vision loss caused by these bacteria.