A nurse has given a premature hypoglycemic infant an IV glucose ...

[james9437]

A nurse has given a premature hypoglycemic infant an IV glucose solution. How would the nurse best determine if the goals for this treatment have been met?
 
  A.
  Blood glucose is 42 mg/dL.
  B.
  Blood glucose is 58 mg/dL.
  C.
  The baby has a normal-sounding cry.
  D.
  The baby is sucking vigorously.

Question 2

A 2-hour-old infant has ruddy skin and delayed capillary refill. What laboratory value best correlates with this condition?
 
  A.
  Blood glucose is 38 mg/dL.
  B.
  Blood glucose is 65 mg/dL.
  C.
  Hematocrit is 42.
  D.
  Hematocrit is 72.

[wilsonbho]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Many nurseries consider a high-risk newborn hypoglycemic when blood glucose readings are below 50-60 mg/dL. For this premature infant, a glucose of 58 mg/dL indicates that treatment has been effective. A blood glucose of 42 mg/dL would be acceptable for a healthy newborn. One sign of hypoglycemia is a high-pitched or weak cry, so this might be an assessment finding associated with euglycemia; however, it is not as specific as a laboratory test. Vigorous sucking is not related.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
This infant has some characteristic signs of polycythemia (ruddy skin, delayed capillary refill). The diagnosis of this disorder is based on a hematocrit of 65 or greater. A hematocrit of 42 is low. Blood glucose is not related.

[james9437]

Great answer, keep it coming

[aliotak]

TYSM