For a term newborn who is 24 hours old, which laboratory result should the nurse report?

In the case of a term newborn who is 24 hours old, a blood glucose level of 35 mg/dL is concerning and should be reported. Newborns are at risk for hypoglycemia, especially within the first 24 hours of life. Normal glucose levels for a newborn should generally be above 40 mg/dL. A glucose level that is below this threshold indicates that the baby may not be getting enough nutrition, which can lead to potential health complications and requires immediate attention to assess feeding and management strategies.

The other values presented prompt less immediate concern. A hematocrit of 45% is within normal limits for a newborn, indicating adequate red blood cell mass. A weight of 2.5 kg may be considered low for some newborns, but it can still fall within acceptable ranges depending on the individual circumstances and growth patterns. A temperature of 37.5°C is also a normal finding for a newborn, reflecting a stable body temperature. Thus, while these other values can be monitored, the glucose level specifically indicates a situation that requires urgent nursing intervention to ensure the health and safety of the newborn.