A nurse is caring for a newborn with elevated serum bilirubin levels and jaundice.
The nurse suspects that the newborn is experiencing:.
Physiologic jaundice
Pathologic jaundice
Hypoglycemia
Preterm birth.
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is choice B. Pathologic jaundice. Pathologic jaundice is a type of jaundice that occurs due to an underlying health problem, such as blood group incompatibility, infection, liver disease, or enzyme deficiency.
Pathologic jaundice usually appears within the first 24 hours of life and can cause severe complications if not treated promptly.
Choice A is wrong because physiologic jaundice is a normal and common condition that occurs in most newborns due to the immaturity of their liver and the high turnover of red blood cells. Physiologic jaundice usually appears between the second and fourth day after birth and resolves within one to two weeks without treatment.
Choice C is wrong because hypoglycemia is a low blood sugar level that can cause symptoms such as jitteriness, poor feeding, lethargy, and seizures in newborns. Hypoglycemia is not directly related to bilirubin levels or jaundice, although some conditions that cause hypoglycemia, such as prematurity or infection, can also increase the risk of jaundice.
Choice D is wrong because preterm birth is a risk factor for jaundice, not a cause of it. Preterm babies have higher bilirubin levels because their liver is less developed and their red blood cells have a shorter lifespan than term babies.
Preterm birth can also be associated with other causes of pathologic jaundice, such as infection or hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells)
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood glucose level is too low, which can affect the brain and nervous system function.Hypoglycemia can cause symptoms such as hypotonia (low muscle tone), weak reflexes, and a weak cry in newborns.
These symptoms are due to the lack of energy supply to the muscles and nerves.
Choice B. Hyperbilirubinemia is wrong because it is a condition where the blood level of bilirubin, a waste product from red blood cell breakdown, is too high.
Hyperbilirubinemia can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), but not hypotonia, weak reflexes, or a weak cry.
Choice C. Preterm birth is wrong because it is a condition where the baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation.
Preterm birth can cause many complications, such as respiratory distress, bleeding in the brain, and infection, but not hypotonia, weak reflexes, or a weak cry.
Choice D. Macrosomia is wrong because it is a condition where the baby is larger than average at birth, usually weighing more than 4 kg (8 lb 13 oz).
Macrosomia can cause problems during delivery, such as shoulder dystocia, birth injury, and low blood sugar, but not hypotonia, weak reflexes, or a weak cry.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This presentation is consistent with a newborn who has been in the womb for longer than 42 weeks.Post-term newborns often have dry, peeling, loose skin and may appear abnormally thin.They may also have overgrown nails and large amount of hair on the head.
Choice A is wrong because preterm birth is associated with low birth weight, immature skin, and lanugo (fine hair) on the body.
Choice B is wrong because macrosomia is a condition where the newborn is significantly larger than average, usually due to maternal diabetes or obesity.
Choice C is wrong because hyperbilirubinemia is a condition where the newborn has high levels of bilirubin in the blood, causing jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
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