“A nurse is obtaining a 2-hr postprandial blood glucose from a patient. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?”

Choice A rationale
Jitteriness is a common sign of hypoglycemia in newborns. Newborns whose mothers had gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing hypoglycemia shortly after birth. Other signs of neonatal hypoglycemia can include poor feeding, lethargy, and seizures.
Choice B rationale
Increased muscle tone is not typically associated with hypoglycemia in newborns. However, decreased muscle tone can be a sign of severe hypoglycemia.
Choice C rationale
Abdominal distention is not typically associated with hypoglycemia in newborns. However, it can be a sign of other conditions, such as gastrointestinal obstruction or sepsis.
Choice D rationale
Petechiae, or small red or purple spots on the skin caused by bleeding into the skin, are not typically associated with hypoglycemia in newborns. However, they can be a sign of other conditions, such as infection or a bleeding disorder.

The correct answer is choice a. Check the client’s serum medication level.

Choice A rationale:

Checking the client’s serum medication level is the most direct and objective method to evaluate medication adherence. It provides a quantifiable measure of the digoxin level in the blood, indicating whether the client is taking the medication as prescribed.

Choice B rationale:

Determining the client’s apical pulse rate is important for monitoring the effects of digoxin, as it can affect heart rate. However, it does not directly measure medication adherence.

Choice C rationale:

Asking the client if they are taking the medication as prescribed relies on self-reporting, which can be inaccurate due to forgetfulness or intentional non-disclosure.

Choice D rationale:

Assessing the client’s kidney function is important for dosing and monitoring potential side effects of digoxin, but it does not directly evaluate medication adherence.