A nurse is planning care for a post-term infant who has hypoglycemia and is receiving IV dextrose solution.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
Monitor blood glucose levels every hour until stable.
Administer glucagon subcutaneously as prescribed.
Discontinue IV dextrose when blood glucose reaches 60 mg/dL.
Feed breast milk or formula every four hours.
The Correct Answer is A
This is because hypoglycemia in newborns can cause seizures, brain damage, and developmental delays, and frequent monitoring can help detect and correct low blood glucose levels promptly.
Some additional information about the other choices are:
Choice B. Administer glucagon subcutaneously as prescribed. This is wrong because glucagon is used to treat hypoglycemia caused by hyperinsulinism, which is a rare condition in newborns. Most cases of hypoglycemia in term infants are due to transient factors such as delayed feeding, maternal diabetes, or perinatal stress.
Choice C. Discontinue IV dextrose when blood glucose reaches 60 mg/dL. This is wrong because 60 mg/dL is still below the normal range of blood glucose for newborns, which is 70 to 100 mg/dL. Discontinuing IV dextrose too early can cause rebound hypoglycemia and increase the risk of neurologic complications.
Choice D. Feed breast milk or formula every four hours. This is wrong because feeding every four hours may not be enough to maintain adequate blood glucose levels in newborns with hypoglycemia. Infants with hypoglycemia should be fed more frequently, such as every two to three hours, or on demand. Breast milk or formula can also be supplemented with IV dextrose if needed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
All of the above.
The nurse should take all of the following actions to prevent increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in a preterm infant who has intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH):
• Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees.This helps to reduce venous congestion and improve cerebral blood flow.
• Avoid suctioning unless absolutely necessary.Suctioning can cause hypoxia, bradycardia, and increased ICP.
• Administer analgesics as prescribed.Pain can increase blood pressure and ICP.
Choice A is wrong because elevating the head of the bed alone is not enough to prevent increased ICP.
Choice B is wrong because avoiding suctioning alone is not enough to prevent increased ICP.
Choice C is wrong because administering analgesics alone is not enough to prevent increased ICP.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Transcutaneous bilirubin measurement is a useful screening tool for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, but it has some limitations and sources of variability.Therefore, any bilirubin screening result obtained must be confirmed by a diagnostic method before treatment.
Choice A is wrong because initiating phototherapy without confirming the bilirubin level could expose the newborn to unnecessary treatment and potential adverse effects.
Choice C is wrong because increasing hydration by feeding more frequently may not be sufficient to lower the bilirubin level if it is too high or if there are other causes of jaundice.
Choice D is wrong because reassuring the parent that this is a normal finding could delay the diagnosis and treatment of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, which can lead to serious complications such as kernicterus spectrum disorders.
Normal ranges for transcutaneous bilirubin measurement vary depending on the device used, the skin pigmentation, and the postnatal age of the newborn.However, a general guideline is that a measurement of 16 mg/dL at 48 hours of age is above the 95th percentile and warrants further investigation.
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