More questions on this topic
More questions on this topic ( 29 Questions)
A nurse is planning care for a post-term infant who has hypoglycemia and is receiving IV dextrose solution.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
This is because hypoglycemia in newborns can cause seizures, brain damage, and developmental delays, and frequent monitoring can help detect and correct low blood glucose levels promptly.
Administer glucagon subcutaneously as prescribed. This is wrong because glucagon is used to treat hypoglycemia caused by hyperinsulinism, which is a rare condition in newborns. Most cases of hypoglycemia in term infants are due to transient factors such as delayed feeding, maternal diabetes, or perinatal stress.
Discontinue IV dextrose when blood glucose reaches 60 mg/dL. This is wrong because 60 mg/dL is still below the normal range of blood glucose for newborns, which is 70 to 100 mg/dL. Discontinuing IV dextrose too early can cause rebound hypoglycemia and increase the risk of neurologic complications.
Feed breast milk or formula every four hours. This is wrong because feeding every four hours may not be enough to maintain adequate blood glucose levels in newborns with hypoglycemia. Infants with hypoglycemia should be fed more frequently, such as every two to three hours, or on demand. Breast milk or formula can also be supplemented with IV dextrose if needed.
This is because hypoglycemia in newborns can cause seizures, brain damage, and developmental delays, and frequent monitoring can help detect and correct low blood glucose levels promptly.
Some additional information about the other choices are:
Choice B. Administer glucagon subcutaneously as prescribed. This is wrong because glucagon is used to treat hypoglycemia caused by hyperinsulinism, which is a rare condition in newborns. Most cases of hypoglycemia in term infants are due to transient factors such as delayed feeding, maternal diabetes, or perinatal stress.
Choice C. Discontinue IV dextrose when blood glucose reaches 60 mg/dL. This is wrong because 60 mg/dL is still below the normal range of blood glucose for newborns, which is 70 to 100 mg/dL. Discontinuing IV dextrose too early can cause rebound hypoglycemia and increase the risk of neurologic complications.
Choice D. Feed breast milk or formula every four hours. This is wrong because feeding every four hours may not be enough to maintain adequate blood glucose levels in newborns with hypoglycemia. Infants with hypoglycemia should be fed more frequently, such as every two to three hours, or on demand. Breast milk or formula can also be supplemented with IV dextrose if needed.