The clinical nurse specialist is caring for a preterm infant in the NICU. When assessing the patient, it is most important for the nurse to know the infant’s gestational age and how it compares with the birth weight because:
  1. This information must be documented on the admission record.
  2. The patient will lose 12% of weight during the next few hours of life
  3. The health insurance companies require evaluation and classification records
  4. This data will help to identify potential problems
Explanation
Answer - D - When assessing the patient, it is most important for the nurse to know the infant’s gestational age and how it compares with the birth weight because this data will help to identify potential problems. A preterm, small-for-gestational-age infant is at high risk for problems not seen in the term small-for-gestational-age infant because of immaturity; this information will help the nurse to anticipate problems and aim interventions at prevention.
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