Question

A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a 2-month-old infant who has rotavirus. The nurse notes a hemoglobin level of 12g/dL and a hematocrit of 51%. Which of the following statements by the nurse indicates an understanding of the laboratory values? A. "The hemoglobin level is below the expected range for a 2-month-old."

B. "The hematocrit level is above the expected range for a 2-month-old."
C. "These values are within the normal range for a 2-month-old infant."
D. "A hemoglobin level of 12g/dL is concerning for dehydration in an infant."

Answer 1

The laboratory values, with a hemoglobin level of 12g/dL and a hematocrit of 51%, suggest that the 2-month-old infant's results are within the normal range for their age.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing the laboratory values of a 2-month-old infant with rotavirus, the nurse notes a hemoglobin level of 12g/dL and a hematocrit of 51%. Given these values, the appropriate statement the nurse can make is: "These values are within the normal range for a 2-month-old infant." This is because the normal hemoglobin range for infants is generally higher than for older children and adults, due to the presence of fetal hemoglobin which has a higher affinity for oxygen. The hematocrit level, representing the volume percentage of red blood cells in the blood, is also in line with the normal range expected for an infant. Dehydration, which could be a concern in an infant with chronic diarrhea, might typically present with a higher hematocrit level due to the concentration of blood cells as plasma volume decreases.