Newborn Nursing Care Q 17

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An insulin-dependent diabetic delivered a 10-pound male. When the baby is brought to the nursery, the priority of care is to:

  

     A. clean the umbilical cord with Betadine to prevent infection

     B. give the baby a bath

     C. call the laboratory to collect a PKU screening test

     D. check the baby’s serum glucose level and administer glucose if < 40 mg/dL

    

    

Correct Answer: D. check the baby’s serum glucose level and administer glucose if < 40 mg/dL.

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Option D: Because the mother has diabetes, the baby is at risk for problems. The newborn baby may be large in size (macrosomia). Big babies are more likely to get hurt during delivery. These include shoulder injuries. The baby may also have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low blood calcium, low blood iron, and high levels of red blood cells and thickened blood. Hypoglycemia occurs if the mother’s blood glucose levels have been consistently high, causing the fetus to have a high level of insulin in its circulation. The baby’s blood glucose level is checked after birth, and if the level is too low, it may be necessary to give the baby glucose intravenously.

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