Practice Question
The student nurse is caring for a toxic-appearing neonate having difficulty with breast-feeding. The neonate's mother is very concerned. The student nurse reviewed the latest laboratory results that show IgM is elevated in the immunoglobulin assay. The student nurse interprets this to mean:
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
infection is present
Rationale:
💠 IgM is the first immunoglobulin produced by the body in response to infection. Unlike IgG, which crosses the placenta from mother to fetus, IgM does not cross the placenta.
💠 Therefore, if a neonate shows elevated IgM, it means the baby’s own immune system is actively producing antibodies, indicating an intrauterine or neonatal infection.
💠 Normal neonates do not have elevated IgM unless they are responding to a pathogen, making this finding clinically significant in a sick newborn.
💠 Early recognition of elevated IgM guides healthcare providers to initiate further evaluation and treatment for infection to prevent complications.
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This question is from PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1 WEEK 8^J9^J10 which contains 72 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: General Exams
- Domain: 🌡Pathophysiology
- Answer Choices: 4