A neonate who is hypoglycemic should be treated immediately with which action?

A neonate who is hypoglycemic should be treated immediately with which action?

• A. Administer intravenous glucose
• B. Feed them right away
• C. Initiate continuous monitoring
• D. Delay feeding and observe

Answer: (B)

When a newborn is hypoglycemic, the priority is to raise blood glucose quickly to protect the brain. The fastest and most appropriate first step is to feed the baby right away. Enteral feeding provides readily available glucose and helps stabilize the infant’s glucose level while the body adjusts. If the baby tolerates feeding, this may resolve the issue, but if hypoglycemia persists or the infant cannot feed effectively, intravenous dextrose is then used to rapidly correct the low glucose. Continuous monitoring of glucose is important, but it should accompany treatment rather than replace the initial action of feeding. Delaying feeding is not appropriate when hypoglycemia is present.

When a newborn is hypoglycemic, the priority is to raise blood glucose quickly to protect the brain. The fastest and most appropriate first step is to feed the baby right away. Enteral feeding provides readily available glucose and helps stabilize the infant’s glucose level while the body adjusts. If the baby tolerates feeding, this may resolve the issue, but if hypoglycemia persists or the infant cannot feed effectively, intravenous dextrose is then used to rapidly correct the low glucose. Continuous monitoring of glucose is important, but it should accompany treatment rather than replace the initial action of feeding. Delaying feeding is not appropriate when hypoglycemia is present.