What is the normal blood glucose level for a preterm infant?

Prepare for the Kettering Patient Assessment Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to enhance your learning experience and boost your exam readiness.

The normal blood glucose level for a preterm infant is typically above 40 mg/dL. Preterm infants are at higher risk for hypoglycemia due to various factors such as immature liver function and limited glycogen stores. Blood glucose levels below 40 mg/dL can indicate hypoglycemia and may require management to prevent potential complications.

Options indicating values like 20 mg/dL or 30 mg/dL are well below the acceptable lower limit for preterm infants. It's important to maintain blood sugar levels in a safe range, as very low glucose levels can lead to significant health issues in these vulnerable populations. Therefore, a value of 40 mg/dL is recognized as the threshold that should be maintained to ensure proper metabolic functioning in these infants.

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