Question

Why is it important for the nurse to know the infant's gestational age and how it compares with the birthweight?

1. Potential problems may be identified

2. Infants lose weight during the first few days of life

3. Infant's weight must be included on the admission record

4. Health insurance companies need this information for evaluating benefits (Nugent 330)
Nugent, Patricia M. Mosby's Review Questions for the NCLEX-RN® Examination, 7th Edition. Mosby, 2011. VitalBook file.

Answer 1

Knowing the infant's gestational age and how it compares with the birthweight is important for identifying potential problems, monitoring weight loss in the early days, and evaluating health insurance benefits.

Step-by-step explanation:

Knowing the infant's gestational age and how it compares with the birthweight is important for several reasons:

1. Potential problems may be identified: By comparing the gestational age and birthweight, nurses can assess if the infant is growing normally or if there are any developmental issues.
2. Infants lose weight during the first few days of life: It is normal for a neonate to lose about 3-7% of their birth weight in the first week. By knowing the gestational age and comparing it with the birth weight, nurses can determine if the weight loss is within the normal range or if there might be a problem.
3. Health insurance companies need this information for evaluating benefits: Knowing the infant's birthweight allows health insurance companies to assess the risk and potential health needs of the infant.