A Newborn Is Determined to Have Physiological Jaundice

question 20

Multiple Choice

A newborn is determined to have physiological jaundice. The nurse explains the steps involved in conjugation and excretion of bilirubin to the parents. Which factors would the nurse include in the explanation?

• A) At birth, the newborn's liver begins to conjugate bilirubin or convert it from a yellow lipid-soluble pigment to a water-soluble pigment.
• B) Unconjugated bilirubin can leave the bloodstream and enter the tissues, causing a yellow hue to the skin and sclera.
• C) Unconjugated bilirubin results from the destruction of white blood cells.
• D) The infant is able to excrete conjugated bilirubin, but not unconjugated bilirubin.
• E) The newborn's liver has greater metabolic and enzymatic activity at birth than does an adult liver, increasing the newborn's susceptibility to jaundice.

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Definitions:

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place, crucial for breathing.

Bronchioles

Small airways in the lungs that lead from the bronchi to the alveolar sacs, responsible for carrying air in and out of the lungs during respiration.

Intubation

The procedure of inserting a tube into the body, typically into the trachea for ventilation purposes.

Mucus Streaming

The movement or flow of mucus, typically in the respiratory tract, as a defense mechanism against irritants or infections.