A nurse is performing an annual wellness exam on an 8-year-old child whose last exam was one year ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Rationale:

A. Drop the sterile gauze from 25.4 cm (10 in) above the sterile field: Dropping sterile items from a height of about 6 to 12 inches prevents contamination by keeping hands outside the sterile field and ensuring the item lands safely without touching nonsterile surfaces.

B. Hold the sterile package in his dominant hand and open the top flap of the package toward his body: The top flap should be opened away from the nurse’s body to maintain sterility and prevent the arm from crossing over the sterile field, which would risk contamination.

C. Place objects 1.27 cm (0.5 in) inside the border of the sterile field: The outer 2.5 cm (1 inch) of the sterile field is considered contaminated. Placing items only 0.5 inches inside this border would place them within the contaminated zone, risking sterile field compromise.

D. Position the bottle outside the edge of the sterile field when pouring solution into a sterile container: While the bottle should not touch the sterile field, it must be close enough to pour without splashing, and the sterile container must be inside the sterile field.

Rationale:

A. Maternal diabetes: Infants born to diabetic mothers are at increased risk for hypoglycemia due to elevated insulin levels stimulated by maternal hyperglycemia. After birth, the abrupt loss of maternal glucose can lead to a rapid drop in the infant’s blood sugar.

B. Prematurity: Premature infants have limited glycogen stores and immature metabolic systems, making them more susceptible to hypoglycemia. Their inability to effectively regulate glucose levels increases their risk after birth.

C. Hypothermia: Cold stress increases metabolic demands and glucose consumption. As the infant uses more energy to maintain body temperature, blood glucose levels can drop rapidly if not closely monitored and managed.

D. Thrombocytopenia: Low platelet counts may indicate other underlying conditions but are not directly associated with hypoglycemia. It is more relevant to clotting and bleeding risks rather than glucose regulation.

E. Anemia: Anemia affects oxygen-carrying capacity but does not have a direct link to blood glucose control. While it may indicate other health issues, it is not a recognized independent risk factor for neonatal hypoglycemia.