Physiological jaundice in the newborn generally occurs?

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance -2021

Explanation

Physiological jaundice is a normal finding in newborns, appearing after the first 24 hours of life.
It is caused by the immaturity of the baby's liver to process bilirubin and the increased breakdown of red blood cells after birth.
The condition typically peaks around the 3rd to 5th day and resolves by the 7th to 10th day in term infants.

Option B: This timeframe is characteristic of pathological jaundice, which is a medical concern requiring investigation.
Option C: This is also incorrect as it falls within the 24-hour window for pathological jaundice.
Option D: This is less precise than the standard clinical guideline of 24 hours. The 24-hour mark is the critical dividing line between physiological and potentially pathological jaundice.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Differentiation between Physiological and Pathological Neonatal Jaundice as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's primary role is to monitor newborns for the onset and progression of jaundice, accurately documenting its appearance to differentiate between normal physiological jaundice and potentially serious pathological jaundice.
What if? If a nurse observes jaundice in a newborn at 12 hours of age, the answer changes completely. This is a critical finding indicating pathological jaundice. The nurse must immediately notify the physician, as this requires urgent investigation for causes like hemolysis (e.g., ABO/Rh incompatibility) or infection.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the timing of 'physiological jaundice'.
Recall the key difference between physiological and pathological jaundice: the time of onset.
Remember the critical cutoff: 24 hours. Jaundice appearing after 24 hours is typically physiological, while jaundice appearing within 24 hours is considered pathological until proven otherwise.
Evaluate the options based on this 24-hour rule. The option stating 'After 24 hrs' is the correct description for physiological jaundice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Differentiation between Physiological and Pathological Neonatal Jaundice
Stem keywords: Physiological jaundice, newborn, occurs
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Text Book Of Pediatric Nursing 3rd Panchali Pal — Part 1 (pp 36-238 of 713) p. 190-192

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 168-170

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1120-1122

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