The nurse checks the blood sugar of a 2 hour old newborn, and the glucometer reading is 32 mg/dl. Which action should the nurse take next?
Transfer the newborn to the NICU
Call the lab for a STAT blood glucose level
Initiate breastfeeding
Recognize this as a normal reading and document it
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
Transferring the newborn to the NICU is not the best action to take next, because it does not address the immediate problem of low blood sugar. The newborn may need to be transferred to the NICU later, depending on the cause and severity of the hypoglycemia, but the first priority is to raise the blood glucose level.
Choice B reason:
Calling the lab for a STAT blood glucose level is not the best action to take next, because it will delay the treatment of hypoglycemia. The glucometer reading is a reliable indicator of low blood sugar, and waiting for a lab confirmation will waste valuable time. The nurse should act on the glucometer reading and initiate treatment as soon as possible.
Choice C reason:
Initiating breastfeeding is the best action to take next, because it will provide the newborn with a source of glucose that can raise the blood sugar level quickly. Breastfeeding also has other benefits for the newborn, such as promoting bonding, providing antibodies, and reducing the risk of infection. Breastfeeding should be initiated within the first hour of life for all newborns, unless contraindicated.
Choice D reason:
Recognizing this as a normal reading and documenting it is not the best action to take next, because it is not a normal reading for a 2 hour old newborn. The normal range of blood glucose for a newborn is 40 to 150 mg/dL. A reading of 32 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia, which can have serious consequences for the newborn's brain development and function. Hypoglycemia should be treated promptly and documented accordingly.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Determining maternal well-being is not the purpose of the Bishop's score. The Bishop's score is a pre-labor scoring system to assist in predicting whether induction of labor will be required. It does not measure maternal vital signs, blood tests, or other indicators of maternal well-being.
Choice B reason:
Determining the readiness of the cervix for labor is the purpose of the Bishop's score. The Bishop's score gives points to five measurements of the pelvic examination: dilation, effacement, station, consistency, and position of the cervix. The higher the score, the more favorable or "ripe”. the cervix is for induction of labor.
Choice C reason:
Determining the progress of labor is not the purpose of the Bishop's score. The Bishop's score is used before labor begins to assess the likelihood of a successful induction or a spontaneous preterm delivery. It does not measure contractions, fetal descent, or other indicators of labor progress.
Choice D reason:
Determining the well-being of the fetus is not the purpose of the Bishop's score. The Bishop's score is a cervical assessment tool that does not directly evaluate fetal status. It does not measure fetal heart rate, movement, or biophysical profile.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The newborn has hypotonia. This is not a specific sign of brachial plexus injury, as hypotonia can have many other causes, such as genetic disorders, infections, or brain damage.
Hypotonia is a general term for low muscle tone or weakness, which can affect the whole body or specific parts.
Choice B reason:
The newborn does not demonstrate the Moro reflex. This is a sign of brachial plexus injury, especially if it affects only one arm. The Moro reflex is a startle response that causes the baby to throw out the arms and legs, then curl them in when startled. A brachial plexus injury can impair the nerve function in the shoulder, arm, or hand, leading to decreased movement or sensation in the upper extremity. If the baby does not show the Moro reflex on one side, it may indicate damage to the upper brachial plexus nerves (C5-C7), also known as Erb's palsy.
Choice C reason:
The newborn cries continually. This is not a specific sign of brachial plexus injury, as crying can have many other causes, such as hunger, discomfort, or colic. Crying is a normal way for babies to communicate their needs and feelings. Crying does not necessarily indicate pain from a brachial plexus injury, as infants' nerves behave differently from adults' and they may not experience much pain from this condition.
Choice D reason:
The newborn has tremors. This is not a specific sign of brachial plexus injury, as tremors can have many other causes, such as cold temperature, low blood sugar, or withdrawal from maternal medications. Tremors are involuntary movements of the muscles that can affect the whole body or specific parts. Tremors do not necessarily indicate nerve damage from a brachial plexus injury, as this condition usually causes weakness or paralysis of the affected muscles.
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