The birth weight of an infant delivered by a woman with gestational diabetes is 10.1 pounds (4,581 grams). The infant is jitery and has a heel stick glucose level of 40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L) 30 minutes after birth. Based on this information, which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement first? Reference range: Blood glucose neonate: [30 to 60 mg/dL or 1.7 to 3.3 mmol/L]

A. Offering 10% dextrose via nipple feeding is used for infants who are unable to feed orally or with severe hypoglycemia. This neonate is still within range hence dextrose is not incicated at this point. B. The infant is jittery with a glucose of 40 mg/dL, which indicates mild symptomatic hypoglycemia. Initiating frequent feedings of breast milk or formula is the first action to stabilize glucose while supporting oral intake. C. Repeating the heel stick is important for monitoring, but it does not treat the low glucose and is not the first action. D. Assessing for hypocalcemia may be indicated later, but the priority is addressing hypoglycemia through feeding.