Post-term birth
Post-term birth ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a post-term newborn who has polycythemia and hypoxemia.
What is the most likely hematocrit value for this newborn?
35% is wrong because it is below the normal range for newborns, which is 45% to 61%. A hematocrit value of 35% would indicate anemia, which is a low number of red blood cells.
45% is wrong because it is at the lower end of the normal range for newborns. A hematocrit value of 45% would not indicate polycythemia or hypoxemia.
55% is wrong because it is within the normal range for newborns. A hematocrit value of 55% would not indicate polycythemia or hypoxemia.
A hematocrit value of 65% indicates polycythemia, which is an abnormally high number of red blood cells. Polycythemia can occur in post-term newborns who have hypoxemia, which is a low level of oxygen in the blood. Hypoxemia stimulates the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that increases red blood cell formation.
A hematocrit value of 65% indicates polycythemia, which is an abnormally high number of red blood cells.
Polycythemia can occur in post-term newborns who have hypoxemia, which is a low level of oxygen in the blood. Hypoxemia stimulates the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that increases red blood cell formation.
Choice A. 35% is wrong because it is below the normal range for newborns, which is 45% to 61%.
A hematocrit value of 35% would indicate anemia, which is a low number of red blood cells.
Choice B. 45% is wrong because it is at the lower end of the normal range for newborns.
A hematocrit value of 45% would not indicate polycythemia or hypoxemia.
Choice C. 55% is wrong because it is within the normal range for newborns.
A hematocrit value of 55% would not indicate polycythemia or hypoxemia.