A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 6 hours old and has a bedside glucometer reading of 65 mg/dL. The newborn's mother has type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Feed the newborn immediately.
Administer 50 mL of dextrose solution IV.
Reassess the blood glucose level prior to the next feeding.
Obtain a blood sample for a serum glucose level.
The Correct Answer is A
A bedside glucometer reading of 65 mg/dL is within the normal range for a newborn who is 6 hours old.
Feeding the newborn can help maintain their blood glucose level.

Choice B is not an answer because administering 50 mL of dextrose solution IV is not necessary for a newborn with a normal blood glucose level.
Choice C is not an answer because reassessing the blood glucose level prior to the next feeding is not necessary for a newborn with a normal blood glucose level.
Choice D is not an answer because obtaining a blood sample for a serum glucose
level is not necessary for a newborn with a normal blood glucose level.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The nurse should obtain a maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) specimen for a client at 12 weeks of gestation.
MSAFP is a screening tool used to identify fetal neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
Elevated levels of MSAFP indicate an increased risk for NTDs, while low levels indicate an increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome.
Administering rubella vaccine (A) is contraindicated during pregnancy as it is a live vaccine and can cause fetal harm.
Administering ceftriaxone IM (B) and obtaining a blood culture (C) are not indicated based on the information provided about the client.
The client's allergy to penicillin is not relevant to the nurse's immediate action.

Correct Answer is B
Explanation
“Use an automatic puncture device on the heel.” This is the most common and minimally invasive method to draw capillary blood from an infant for medical testing.

Choice A is incorrect because the heel should be punctured on the outer aspect of the foot to avoid damaging the calcaneus bone.
Choice C is incorrect because the heel should be cleansed with an alcohol swab
before, not after, the procedure.
Choice D is incorrect because there is no need to place an ice pack on the newborn’s heel before the procedure.
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