Dose of vitamin-K in premature baby is?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2018

Explanation

The standard prophylactic dose of vitamin K for premature infants (typically defined as weighing less than 1.5 kg) is 0.5 mg.
This is administered to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), as these infants have immature liver function and very low vitamin K stores at birth.
The lower dose provides adequate protection against VKDB while being appropriate for the smaller body mass of a premature infant.

Option B: This is the standard prophylactic dose for healthy term infants, not premature infants.
Option C: This is an incorrect and excessive dose for routine prophylaxis in any newborn.
Option D: This is an incorrect and excessive dose for routine prophylaxis and is not a standard recommended dose.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Vitamin K prophylaxis dosage in newborns helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Administering the correct dose of vitamin K is a critical nursing responsibility to prevent the potentially life-threatening condition of VKDB.
Nurses must accurately assess if an infant is term or preterm to ensure the correct dosage is given, as dosage is weight and gestation-dependent.
What if? If a parent refuses the vitamin K injection, the nurse must educate them on the risks of VKDB (including brain hemorrhage), document the refusal clearly as per hospital policy, and notify the physician. This places the infant at significant risk for bleeding.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it's asking for a specific medication dose for a specific patient population (premature baby).
Recall the standard protocols for newborn care. Remember that dosages for neonates are often different for term versus preterm infants.
Access your knowledge of neonatal pharmacology. The standard prophylactic dose of vitamin K is a key fact to memorize.
Compare the options: 0.5 mg and 1 mg are the two standard prophylactic doses. Differentiate between them based on the patient's status (premature vs. term).
Select 0.5 mg as the correct dose for a premature infant, as they require a smaller dose than term infants.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Vitamin K prophylaxis dosage in newborns.
Stem keywords: Dose, vitamin-K, premature baby
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Clinical cues: The term 'premature baby' is the key clinical cue, indicating that a lower dose compared to a term infant is required.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 108-110

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