A nurse is caring for a newborn who has macrosomia and whose mother has diabetes mellitus. The nurse should recognize which of the following newborn complications as the priority focus of care?

The correct answer is 200 mL/hr.

To calculate the IV rate, the nurse should use the following formula:

IV rate (mL/hr) = (Volume to be infused (mL) / Time of infusion (hr)) x Drop factor (gtt/mL)

In this case, the volume to be infused is 100 mL, the time of infusion is 0.5 hr (30 min), and the drop factor is 1 gtt/mL (assuming the IV pump is calibrated in mL/hr). Therefore, the formula becomes:

IV rate (mL/hr) = (100 mL / 0.5 hr) x 1 gtt/mL

IV rate (mL/hr) = 200 mL/hr

The nurse should round the answer to the nearest whole number, which is 200 mL/hr. The nurse should use a leading zero if the answer is less than 1, which is not the case here. The nurse should not use a trailing zero, which means 200 mL/hr and not 200.0 mL/hr.

Choice A reason: Monitoring the newborn's blood pressure is not the most appropriate action, as it is not directly related to the signs of diaphoresis, jitteriness, and lethargy. These signs are more indicative of hypoglycemia, which is a low blood sugar level that can affect newborns, especially those who are premature, small for gestational age, or have diabetic mothers.

Choice B reason: Initiating phototherapy is not the most appropriate action, as it is used to treat hyperbilirubinemia, which is a high level of bilirubin in the blood that can cause jaundice, a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes. Hyperbilirubinemia does not cause diaphoresis, jitteriness, or lethargy.

Choice C reason: Obtaining blood glucose by heel stick is the most appropriate action, as it can confirm the diagnosis of hypoglycemia, which is the most likely cause of the signs of diaphoresis, jitteriness, and lethargy. The nurse should perform a heel stick using a sterile lancet and a glucose meter, and obtain a blood sample from the lateral aspect of the heel. The nurse should also provide warmth, stimulation, and feeding to the newborn, and report the blood glucose level to the provider.

Choice D reason: Placing the newborn in a radiant warmer is not the most appropriate action, as it can cause dehydration, fluid loss, and further hypoglycemia. The nurse should use a radiant warmer only if the newborn is hypothermic, which is a low body temperature that can also affect newborns. The nurse should monitor the newborn's temperature and skin color, and adjust the warmer accordingly.