The nurse is caring for a macrosomic newborn of a woman diagnosed with gestational diabetes immediately after birth.What assessment findings can the nurse anticipate? (Select all that apply. )

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Many newborn infants of diabetic mothers have serious complications.When the mother is hyperglycemic,large amounts of glucose are transferred to the fetus.After delivery the infant often has low blood glucose levels because of the abrupt loss of maternal glucose and hypertrophy of the pancreatic islet cells,which results in a temporary overproduction of insulin.Hyperinsulinism,along with excess production of protein and fatty acids,often results in a newborn infant who weighs more than 4082 g (9 lb).These infants suffer from hypoglycemia,hypocalcemia,and hyperbilirubinemia.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Macrosomic Newborn of a Woman