Practice Question
A macrosomic infant is born after a difficult delivery. After stabilization, the infant is weighed, and the birth weight is 4550 g (9 pounds, 6 ounces). The nurse’s most appropriate action is to:
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Monitor blood glucose levels frequently, and observe closely for signs of hypoglycemia.
Rationale:
🟠 A macrosomic infant (birth weight > 4,000 g) is at high risk for neonatal hypoglycemia, particularly if the infant was born to a mother with diabetes or prolonged labor.
🟠 Birth trauma and hyperinsulinemia are common in LGA infants, leading to a rapid drop in blood glucose after delivery when maternal glucose supply is cut.
🟠 The nurse must frequently monitor blood glucose levels, typically starting within the first 30–60 minutes of life, and observe for signs such as jitteriness, lethargy, tremors, poor feeding, or apnea.
🟠 Early intervention with feeding or IV glucose, if needed, helps prevent neurologic injury due to prolonged hypoglycemia.
🟠 While gestational age assessment is routine, it does not take priority over managing the acute metabolic risk of hypoglycemia.
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This question is from Maternity exam 3 (Samuel merit University) which contains 46 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
A pregnant woman at 37 weeks’ gestation has had ruptured membranes for 38 hours. A cesarean is performed for failure to progress. FHR baseline before birth was 180 BPM with marked variability. At birth, the newborn had Apgar scores of 6 and 7 at one and five minutes and is now noted to be pale and tachypneic. Based on the maternal history, what is the most likely cause of this newborn’s distress?
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A full-term LGA infant is 3 hours of age and has a blood glucose level of 35 g/dL. The neonate appears to be trembling. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform at this time?
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A full-term LGA infant is 3 hours of age and has a blood glucose level of 35 g/dL. The neonate appears to be trembling. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform at this time?
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There is a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) who is exhibiting signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome. Which of the following medications are contraindicated for this neonate?
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Which of the following statements most accurately describes postpartum depression (PPD)?
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: General Exams
- Domain: 🤱🏼Maternity & Newborn Care
- Answer Choices: 4