Question

With regard to lab tests and diagnostic tests after birth, nurses should be aware that which of the following statements is true?

a) Blood type is determined from the mother only
b) PKU testing is done at 24 hours of age
c) Coombs test assesses the infant's thyroid function
d) Bilirubin levels are lower in the first 24 hours

Answer 1

Nurses should be aware that PKU testing is typically done at 24 hours of age, the Coombs test detects antibodies that may cause jaundice, not thyroid function, and blood type is not determined only by the mother.

Step-by-step explanation:

With regard to lab tests and diagnostic tests after birth, nurses should be aware that the statement that PKU testing is done at 24 hours of age is true. The Coombs test is used to determine whether the child's red blood cells have been bound by the mother's antibodies, which leads to red blood cell lysis and can result in jaundice. It does not assess the infant's thyroid function.

Bilirubin levels, meanwhile, tend to be lower in the first 24 hours post-birth; hence, they peak later in the infant's life. The blood type cannot be determined exclusively from the mother, as the father's genetics also play a role.