A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a newborn who is breastfed.
Which of the following findings indicates adequate nutrition?
Hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL
Serum calcium level of 8 mg/dL
Serum bilirubin level of 15 mg/dL
Serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L
The Correct Answer is A
Hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL. This is within the normal range for a newborn, which is 13.4-19.9 g/dL for the first month.
Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
Choice B is wrong because serum calcium level of 8 mg/dL is below the normal range for a newborn, which is 8.5-10.6 mg/dL for the first month.
Calcium is important for bone health and muscle function.
Choice C is wrong because serum bilirubin level of 15 mg/dL is above the normal range for a newborn, which is less than 12 mg/dL for the first week.
Bilirubin is a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells.
High levels can cause jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Choice D is wrong because serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L is below the normal range for a newborn, which is 135-145 mEq/L.
Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance and nerve impulses.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Use an oral syringe to squirt the medication into the side of the mouth.
This is because an oral syringe allows the nurse to measure the exact dose of the medication and deliver it slowly and safely into the infant’s mouth, avoiding choking or aspiration.
The other choices are wrong for the following reasons:
• Choice A) Mixing the medication with formula in a bottle can alter the taste and effectiveness of the medication, and also make it difficult to ensure that the infant receives the full dose.
• Choice C) Placing the medication on a pacifier can cause the infant to spit out the pacifier or the medication, and also increase the risk of infection from contaminated pacifiers.
• Choice D) Dipping a cotton swab in the medication and rubbing it on the gums can irritate the oral mucosa and cause pain or bleeding, and also waste some of the medication on the swab.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
All of these conditions would warrant a referral to specialized care for severe diseases or complications related to nutrition and feeding.
Choice A is wrong because phenylketonuria (PKU) in the infant is a genetic disorder that causes an amino acid called phenylalanine to build up in the body.This can lead to intellectual disability, seizures, and other neurological problems if not treated with a special diet that limits phenylalanine.
Choice B is wrong because gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the mother is a condition where the mother has high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.This can increase the risk of complications for both the mother and the baby, such as preeclampsia, macrosomia, birth injuries, and neonatal hypoglycemia.
Choice C is wrong because cleft lip or palate in the infant is a birth defect where the upper lip or roof of the mouth does not form properly.This can affect the infant’s ability to feed, speak, and breathe, and may require surgery and other interventions.
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