Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia ( 13 Questions)
A nurse is assessing a newborn who has intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
The nurse should recognize that this newborn is at risk for developing hypoglycemia because of which of the following factors?
Increased glycogen stores would protect against hypoglycemia, not cause it. Glycogen is a form of stored glucose that can be broken down when blood glucose level is low.
Decreased gluconeogenesis would also protect against hypoglycemia, not cause it. Gluconeogenesis is a process where the liver makes glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as amino acids or lactate.
Increased insulin production. Infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are at risk for hypoglycemia due to poor nutrient reserves and hyperinsulinism. Hyperinsulinism is a condition where the pancreas produces too much insulin, which lowers the blood glucose level. Infants with IUGR may have hyperinsulinism because of placental insufficiency, maternal diabetes, or fetal stress.
Decreased glucose consumption would also protect against hypoglycemia, not cause it. Glucose consumption is the rate at which cells use glucose for energy production. If glucose consumption is low, blood glucose level would be high.
The correct answer is choice C. Increased insulin production. Infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are at risk for hypoglycemia due to poor nutrient reserves and hyperinsulinism.
Hyperinsulinism is a condition where the pancreas produces too much insulin, which lowers the blood glucose level. Infants with IUGR may have hyperinsulinism because of placental insufficiency, maternal diabetes, or fetal stress.
Choice A is wrong because increased glycogen stores would protect against hypoglycemia, not cause it.
Glycogen is a form of stored glucose that can be broken down when blood glucose level is low.
Choice B is wrong because decreased gluconeogenesis would also protect against hypoglycemia, not cause it.
Gluconeogenesis is a process where the liver makes glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as amino acids or lactate.
Choice D is wrong because decreased glucose consumption would also protect against hypoglycemia, not cause it.
Glucose consumption is the rate at which cells use glucose for energy production.
If glucose consumption is low, blood glucose level would be high.