A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 6 hours old and has a bedside glucometer reading of 65 mg/dL. The newborn's mother has type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Feed the newborn immediately.
Administer 50 mL of dextrose solution IV.
Reassess the blood glucose level prior to the next feeding.
Obtain a blood sample for a serum glucose level.
The Correct Answer is A
A bedside glucometer reading of 65 mg/dL is within the normal range for a newborn who is 6 hours old.
Feeding the newborn can help maintain their blood glucose level.
Choice B is not an answer because administering 50 mL of dextrose solution IV is not necessary for a newborn with a normal blood glucose level.
Choice C is not an answer because reassessing the blood glucose level prior to the next feeding is not necessary for a newborn with a normal blood glucose level.
Choice D is not an answer because obtaining a blood sample for a serum glucose
level is not necessary for a newborn with a normal blood glucose level.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count of less than 150,000/microL1.
Severe neonatal thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50,000/microL) can be associated with bleeding and potentially significant morbidity.
As a result, it is important to identify at-risk neonates and report low platelet counts to the provider.
Choice B is incorrect because a hematocrit of 48% is within the normal range for a newborn.
Choice C is incorrect because a blood glucose level of 58 mg/dl is within the normal range for a newborn.
Choice D is incorrect because a hemoglobin level of 16 g/dL is within the normal range for a newborn.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A newborn who is 10 hr old and has onset tachypnea.
Tachypnea means rapid breathing and can be a sign of respiratory distress.
Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a respiratory disorder usually seen shortly after delivery in babies who are born near or at term.
It is important for the nurse to assess this newborn first to determine the cause of the tachypnea and provide appropriate care.
Choice A, a newborn who is 24 hr old and has not had a meconium stool, may
require further assessment but is not as urgent as a newborn with tachypnea.
Choice B, a newborn who has a short frenulum and is having difficulty breastfeeding, may require assistance with feeding but is not as urgent as a newborn with tachypnea.
Choice D, a newborn who is 30 hr old and has blood-tinged discharge in her diaper, may have pseudomenstruation which is normal and not a cause for concern.
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