Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

A neonate born at 36 weeks gestation weighing 3000 gm is at increased risk for?

1. Jaundice

2. Patent ductus arteriosus

3. Polycythemia

4. Respiratory distress syndrome

The correct answer is: Jaundice

A neonate born at 36 weeks gestation and weighing 3000 grams is considered to be late preterm. This gestational age is associated with several physiological adaptations that the neonate might not have fully achieved compared to term infants. One of the common conditions seen in this population is jaundice, which primarily arises from the immaturity of the liver, which might not be fully equipped to process bilirubin efficiently. Late preterm infants often experience higher levels of unconjugated bilirubin due to various factors, including increased red blood cell mass, shorter red blood cell lifespan, and the effects of delayed feeding that can lead to inadequate caloric intake and hydration. Consequently, the risk for jaundice increases significantly in this group. While other conditions such as patent ductus arteriosus, polycythemia, and respiratory distress syndrome are relevant in the neonatal population, they are more commonly associated with earlier preterm infants (those born before 34 weeks) or different clinical scenarios. For example, patent ductus arteriosus is more prevalent in extremely preterm infants (less than 28 weeks), and respiratory distress syndrome predominantly affects infants before 34 weeks due to insufficient surfactant production. Polycythemia is often a concern in