A nurse is administering insulin to a pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes and is in labor.
The nurse should monitor the woman’s blood glucose levels every how often during labor?
Every hour
Every two hours
Every four hours
Every six hours
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A. The nurse should monitor the woman’s blood glucose levels every hour during labor. This is because the goal of intrapartum insulin therapy is maternal and fetal euglycemia with a maternal glucose less than 90 mg/dL. Hourly blood glucose monitoring can help adjust the insulin infusion rate and prevent hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
Choice B is wrong because every two hours is not frequent enough to maintain optimal glucose control during labor.
Choice C is wrong because every four hours is too long to wait between blood glucose checks and could lead to complications.
Choice D is wrong because every six hours is even longer and more risky than choice C. Normal ranges for blood glucose levels during labor are between 4.0 and 6.0-7.0 mmol/L (72-108 mg/dL). Women with gestational diabetes who require less than 1.0 units/kg/d of insulin may not need intravenous insulin, but they still need to be monitored regularly.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. Higher insulin resistance.According to a systematic review of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Africa, African-Caribbean women have higher insulin resistance than other ethnic groups, which increases their risk of developing GDM.
Insulin resistance is a condition where the body does not respond well to the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.
Choice B is wrong because lower birth weight is not associated with GDM in African-Caribbean women.In fact, some studies have found that GDM increases the risk of macrosomia (large for gestational age infants) and higher mean birth weight.
Choice C is wrong because earlier onset of diabetes is not a characteristic of African-Caribbean women with GDM.
GDM is usually diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, regardless of ethnicity.However, women with GDM have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Choice D is wrong because faster resolution of diabetes is not a characteristic of African-Caribbean women with GDM.Most women with GDM revert to normal glucose metabolism after delivery, but some may have persistent glucose intolerance or diabetes.The risk of developing type 2 diabetes after GDM is also higher for African-Caribbean women than other ethnic groups.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Birth weight.
The nurse should measure the birth weight of the newborn to determine if the newborn has macrosomia.Macrosomia is a condition in which a baby has a weight of more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces at birth.It is commonly caused by medical conditions, such as obesity or diabetes, of the mother during pregnancy.
Choice A is wrong because head circumference is not a reliable indicator of macrosomia.Some babies may have a large head circumference due to genetic factors or hydrocephalus, but not necessarily due to macrosomia.
Choice B is wrong because chest circumference is not a reliable indicator of macrosomia.Some babies may have a large chest circumference due to genetic factors or congenital heart defects, but not necessarily due to macrosomia.
Choice C is wrong because abdominal circumference is not a reliable indicator of macrosomia.Some babies may have a large abdominal circumference due to genetic factors or abdominal wall defects, but not necessarily due to macrosomia.
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