A newborn has been admitted to the nursery shortly after birth.  Nursing assessment reveals all of the following findings. Which finding should the nurse consider abnormal?

Explanation

•Jaundice during the first 24 hours after birth is always considered pathologic. Jaundice ocurring after 24 hours lasting to day 8 is normal for term infants.

•Jaundice occurs due to an increase in serum bilirubin. This occurs in newborns because of several factors, including low enzyme activity used for the conversion and excretion of bilirubin, shorter life span of red blood cells, and low levels of intestinal flora resulting in high absorption rates of bilirubin.

•The other options are considered normal in the newborn.

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