Health Promotion and Maintenance Q 76

---

Which observation in the newborn of a diabetic mother would require immediate nursing intervention?

  

     A. Crying

     B. Wakefulness

     C. Jitteriness

     D. Yawning

    

    

Correct Answer: C. Jitteriness

---

Jitteriness is a sign of seizure in the neonate. For infants presenting with clinical signs compatible with hypoglycemia, like apnoea, hypotonia, jitteriness, apathy, hypothermia, tremors and seizures, treatment must ensure that blood glucose levels remain above 0.45 g/L (2.5 mmol/L). An IV bolus dose of glucose (150-200 mg/kg) should be administered urgently, followed by a constant rate infusion.

---

Option A: It’s normal for a baby to cry for 2–3 hours a day for the first 6 weeks. During the first 3 months of life, they cry more than at any other time. New parents often are low on sleep and getting used to life with their little one.

Option B: Generally, newborns sleep a total of about 8 to 9 hours in the daytime and a total of about 8 hours at night. But because they have a small stomach, they must wake every few hours to eat. Most babies don’t start sleeping through the night (6 to 8 hours) until at least 3 months of age. But this can vary a lot. Some babies don’t sleep through the night until closer to 1 year.

Option D: It is also common for newborns to hiccup, sneeze, yawn, spit up, burp, and gurgle. Sometimes newborns cry for no reason at all. If this happens, try comforting the baby by rocking, singing, talking softly, or wrapping him or her in a blanket.

---