Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia ( 13 Questions)
A nurse is performing a heel stick blood glucose test on a newborn who is preterm.
The nurse should apply a heel warmer to the newborn’s foot before obtaining the blood sample for which of the following reasons?
A heel warmer does not prevent infection. Infection prevention requires proper cleaning of the puncture site and disposal of the lancet.
To increase blood flow. A heel warmer is applied to the newborn’s foot before obtaining the blood sample to increase the blood flow to the area and make it easier to collect the sample. A heel warmer can also reduce pain and bruising by dilating the blood vessels and reducing the need for multiple punctures.
A heel warmer does not reduce pain by itself. Pain reduction requires other measures such as cuddling, feeding, and distraction.
A heel warmer does not prevent bruising. Bruising prevention requires applying pressure to the puncture site after collecting the sample.
The correct answer is choice B. To increase blood flow. A heel warmer is applied to the newborn’s foot before obtaining the blood sample to increase the blood flow to the area and make it easier to collect the sample. A heel warmer can also reduce pain and bruising by dilating the blood vessels and reducing the need for multiple punctures.
Choice A is wrong because a heel warmer does not prevent infection. Infection prevention requires proper cleaning of the puncture site and disposal of the lancet.
Choice C is wrong because a heel warmer does not reduce pain by itself. Pain reduction requires other measures such as cuddling, feeding, and distraction.
Choice D is wrong because a heel warmer does not prevent bruising. Bruising prevention requires applying pressure to the puncture site after collecting the sample.
Normal ranges for blood glucose levels in newborns vary depending on the method of measurement, but generally they are between 2.6 and 6.0 mmol/L.