Introduction
Introduction ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a newborn with elevated serum bilirubin levels and jaundice.
The nurse suspects that the newborn is experiencing:.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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)