An infant of a Diabetic Mother (IDM) has a blood glucose of 60 upon admission to the well-baby nursery. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing action?
Select one:
Prepare for IV dextrose administration.
Provide routine care, per hospital IDM protocol.
Place the infant in a warmed incubator.
Alert the clinician immediately for orders.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason: Prepare for IV dextrose administration. This is an incorrect answer that indicates an unnecessary and invasive intervention for an IDM with normal blood glucose. IV dextrose administration is indicated for an IDM with severe or persistent hypoglycemia, which is defined as a blood glucose below 40 mg/dL or below 60 mg/dL after two feedings.
Choice B Reason: Provide routine care, per hospital IDM protocol. This is because a blood glucose of 60 is within the normal range for an IDM, which is 40 to 80 mg/dL. An IDM is a newborn whose mother has pre-existing or gestational diabetes, which can affect the fetal and neonatal glucose metabolism and regulation. An IDM may have hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), or other complications such as macrosomia, polycythemia, or congenital anomalies. An IDM requires routine care and monitoring according to the hospital IDM protocol, which may include blood glucose testing, feeding, temperature regulation, and observation for signs of distress.
Choice C Reason: Place the infant in a warmed incubator. This is an incorrect answer that suggests an irrelevant and potentially harmful action for an IDM with normal blood glucose. Placing the infant in a warmed incubator is indicated for an IDM with hypothermia, which is a low body temperature that can impair glucose utilization and increase oxygen consumption. However, placing the infant in a warmed incubator without proper indication can cause hyperthermia, which is a high body temperature that can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or brain damage.
Choice D Reason: Alert the clinician immediately for orders. This is an incorrect answer that implies an urgent and unwarranted situation for an IDM with normal blood glucose. Alerting the clinician immediately for orders is indicated for an IDM with signs of distress or complications, such as apnea, cyanosis, seizures, or jaundice.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Provide compassionate and accurate information throughout the process and support them to make their own decisions. This is a therapeutic strategy that demonstrates empathy, honesty, and advocacy for the couple. It also helps them understand their options, risks, benefits, and alternatives, and encourages them to participate in their care.
Choice B Reason: Inquire about the names they have chosen for their baby to get their mind off their stress. This is a non-therapeutic strategy that avoids addressing the couple's concerns, minimizes their feelings, and may create false hope or unrealistic expectations.
Choice C Reason: Express sympathy and provide directive advice to the couple about what they should do. This is a non-therapeutic strategy that shows pity, imposes personal values, and undermines the couple's self-determination.
Choice D Reason: Refer them to a marriage counselor in the same building to help them with the decisions. This is a non-therapeutic strategy that implies that the couple has marital problems, shifts responsibility, and may create resentment or resistance.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Daily weight. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a valid parameter to assess hydration status. Daily weight is a measure of the body mass that can reflect changes in fluid balance. Daily weight can help detect fluid loss or gain in premature infants, who are more prone to dehydration or overhydration due to immature renal function and high insensible water loss.
Choice B Reason: Consistency of stool. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a valid parameter to assess hydration status. Consistency of stool is a measure of the texture and form of feces that can reflect changes in fluid intake and absorption. Consistency of stool can help identify diarrhea or constipation in premature infants, who are more susceptible to gastrointestinal problems such as necrotizing enterocolitis or feeding intolerance.
Choice C Reason: Volume of urine output. This is an incorrect answer that indicates a valid parameter to assess hydration status. Volume of urine output is a measure of the amount of urine produced and excreted by the kidneys that can reflect changes in fluid balance and renal function. Volume of urine output can help monitor hydration status and kidney function in premature infants, who are more vulnerable to fluid overload or deficit and renal impairment.
Choice D Reason: Blood pH. This is because blood pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the blood, which reflects the balance between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate in the body. Blood pH is not a direct indicator of hydration status, which refers to the amount of water and electrolytes in the body. Hydration status can affect blood pH, but blood pH can also be influenced by other factors such as respiratory or metabolic disorders.
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