The nurse is caring for a newborn whose mother is diabetic. Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to see?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Infants born to mothers with diabetes, especially uncontrolled diabetes, are at risk for hypoglycemia due to exposure to high glucose levels in utero. The infant's pancreas may have been producing high levels of insulin in response to the mother's high blood glucose levels, leading to hypoglycemia after birth. Additionally, these infants are typically smaller for gestational age (SGA) due to the effects of high blood sugar levels on fetal growth. Therefore, the nurse should expect the newborn of a mother with diabetes to exhibit signs of hypoglycemia and be small for gestational age.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Marasmus is a form of severe malnutrition characterized by a significant deficiency in calories and protein intake. Symptoms of marasmus include severe wasting of muscle and fat stores, giving the appearance of loose, wrinkled skin due to the loss of subcutaneous fat. Other symptoms may include lethargy, irritability, delayed growth and development, and weakened immune function. Edematous skin is more commonly associated with kwashiorkor, another form of severe malnutrition characterized by protein deficiency with adequate caloric intake. Depigmentation of the skin and dermatoses are not typical symptoms of marasmus.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Metolazone, a diuretic medication commonly known as Zaroxolyn, can cause electrolyte imbalances in the body, particularly low potassium levels which can lead to muscle weakness. Therefore, the nurse should instruct the patient to report any signs or symptoms of muscle weakness to the healthcare provider promptly. Numb hands, gastrointestinal distress, and nightmares are not common side effects of metolazone that typically require urgent medical attention.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The thick, white, cheesy coating on the skin of a newborn baby is called vernix caseosa. It is a substance produced by the fetal sebaceous glands and is meant to protect the baby's skin while in the amniotic fluid. Vernix helps to maintain the skin's hydration, provides a barrier against infection, and aids in the transition from the wet intrauterine environment to the dry extrauterine world. It is usually found on the skin of term newborns but can be present in preterm babies as well. As the baby is exposed to air and dries off, the vernix will naturally diminish.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Metabolic acidosis is a condition characterized by a low pH (acidemia) and a low plasma bicarbonate concentration. In this condition, the body either produces too much acid, kidneys cannot remove enough acid, or there is a bicarbonate loss. This leads to an excess of hydrogen ions in the body, resulting in a decrease in pH and bicarbonate levels. Respiratory acidosis, on the other hand, is characterized by a low pH and a high carbon dioxide concentration. Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a low carbon dioxide concentration. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a high bicarbonate concentration.