A nurse is reviewing a newborn's laboratory results. Which of the following findings is the nurse's priority?
Platelets 200,000/mm3
Bilirubin 19 mg/dL
Blood glucose 45 mg/dL
Hemoglobin 22 g/dL
The Correct Answer is B
- A) A platelet count of 200,000/mm3 is within the normal range for a newborn and does not require immediate intervention.
- B) A bilirubin level of 19 mg/dL is high and suggests the possibility of hyperbilirubinemia, which can lead to jaundice and, in severe cases, kernicterus, a form of brain damage. This is a critical value that requires immediate attention.
- C) A blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL is on the lower end of the normal range, but it is not as immediately concerning as the elevated bilirubin level. Monitoring and appropriate feeding should address this issue.
- D) A hemoglobin level of 22 g/dL is high, indicating polycythemia, which can be a risk factor for hyperviscosity syndrome. However, it is not as urgent as the bilirubin level of 19 mg/dL. Monitoring and partial exchange transfusion may be considered if symptoms develop.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Monitoring the newborn's blood pressure may be indicated in some situations but is not the priority in this case, as the symptoms described suggest hypoglycemia rather than hypertension.
B. Obtaining blood glucose by heel stick is the priority action. The symptoms of diaphoresis, jitteriness, and lethargy are indicative of hypoglycemia in newborns, and obtaining a blood glucose level will confirm the diagnosis and guide appropriate treatment.
C. Placing the newborn in a radiant warmer may help to prevent heat loss but does not address the underlying issue of hypoglycemia.
D. Initiating phototherapy is not indicated for the symptoms described, which suggest hypoglycemia rather than hyperbilirubinemia.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Pain following a cesarean birth is important to address, but it may not indicate an urgent need for assessment compared to other potential complications.
B. A client with preeclampsia requires close monitoring of blood pressure to prevent
complications such as eclampsia, which can lead to seizures and other serious consequences. An elevated blood pressure reading warrants immediate attention.
C. A client scheduled for discharge following a laparoscopic tubal ligation is stable and can likely wait for assessment until after higher-priority clients have been seen.
D. While it's important to monitor for bleeding after a vaginal birth, the absence of bleeding reported by a client 24 hours postpartum may not indicate an immediate need for assessment compared to the potential urgency of managing preeclampsia.
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