Hyperbilirubinemia
Hyperbilirubinemia ( 4 Questions)
A nurse is assessing a newborn for signs of jaundice.
Which of the following methods should the nurse use to detect jaundice in the newborn?
Palpating the newborn’s abdomen for hepatomegaly is not a reliable way to detect jaundice. Hepatomegaly is an enlargement of the liver that may indicate liver disease, but it is not specific to jaundice.
Measuring the newborn’s serum bilirubin level is not a method to detect jaundice, but rather to confirm and quantify it. Serum bilirubin level is the amount of bilirubin in the blood, which is responsible for the yellow color of jaundice. A blood test is required to measure this level.
This method allows the nurse to detect jaundice by observing the color of the skin after applying and releasing pressure. This is a simple and noninvasive way to check for jaundice in a newborn.
Observing the newborn’s urine and stool color is not a reliable way to detect jaundice. The color of urine and stool may vary depending on the hydration status, feeding type and other factors of the newborn. Moreover, urine and stool color may not change until the bilirubin level is very high.
This method allows the nurse to detect jaundice by observing the color of the skin after applying and releasing pressure.
This is a simple and noninvasive way to check for jaundice in a newborn.
Choice A is wrong because palpating the newborn’s abdomen for hepatomegaly is not a reliable way to detect jaundice. Hepatomegaly is an enlargement of the liver that may indicate liver disease, but it is not specific to jaundice.
Choice B is wrong because measuring the newborn’s serum bilirubin level is not a method to detect jaundice, but rather to confirm and quantify it.
Serum bilirubin level is the amount of bilirubin in the blood, which is responsible for the yellow color of jaundice. A blood test is required to measure this level.
Choice D is wrong because observing the newborn’s urine and stool color is not a reliable way to detect jaundice.
The color of urine and stool may vary depending on the hydration status, feeding type and other factors of the newborn. Moreover, urine and stool color may not change until the bilirubin level is very high.