Question

High-risk neonatal hypoglycemia
1. What are special needs of the high-risk newborn with hypoglycemia
2. Nursing care and interventions relative to neonatal hypoglycemia and the rationales
3. Expected nursing outcomes
4. Anticipated long and short-term goals and expectations for the newborn with hypoglycemia ?.
5. Parental needs and the potential effect on the family unit
6. How to apply principles of Watson's theory of human caring to nursing care for the neonatal patient with hypoglycemia ?

Answer 1

Neonate

A neonate is a new born baby or recently born baby.

Neonatal Hypoglycemia: A condition characterised by a too low level of blood glucose level ( 50 mg/dL) in a new born baby. The babies under high risk for developing hypoglycemia are preterm baby, inborn errors of metabolism, baby of a diabetic mother, babies with respiratory distress etc.

1. Special needs of the high risk new born with hypoglycemia

Special needs of the high risk new born with hypoglycemia are :

* Maintain a normal blood glucose level( above 50)

* Maintain the warmth

* Maintain normal breathing pattern

* Nutritional needs

2. Nursing interventions for neonatal hypoglycemia

1. Assess the blood glucose level of the baby ( to find out the base line data)

2. Identify the early signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia ( high pitched cry, hypotonia, hypothermia, increased breathing and heart rate, poor feeding and sweating of the baby)

3.Monitor the vital signs of baby( to find out any potential complications or existing abnormalities)

4. Feed orally, if it is permitted/ administer Intravenous 10% glucose or oral glucose gel 0.5 ml/kg as per Doctor's order.( to improve the blood glucose level of the baby).

3. Expected nursing outcomes

1.After 4 hours of nursing care the baby will be able to resume normal blood glucose levels and be free from risk for altered cerebral blood supply( tissue perfusion)

2. Baby will be able to maintain the body temperature at normal range

4. long term and short term goals

short term goal:

*After 4 hours the baby's blood glucose level will be 50 or above 50 mg/dL.

* Baby maintains a body temperature above 96° F, skin is warm

* Baby maintains Heart rate and breathing in normal range.

Long term goals

* Baby maintains > 45 mg/dLblood glucose levels throughout hospitalization

* Baby displays normal and stable vital signs throughout hospitalization.