Question

A mother brings her 3-week-old infant to a clinic for a phenylketonuria rescreening blood test. The test indicates a serum phenylalanine level of 1 mg/dL (60.5 mcmol/L). The nurse reviews this result and makes which interpretation?

a. It is negative.
b. It is positive.
c. It is inconclusive.
d. It indicates hyperglycemia.

Answer 1

The nurse should interpret a serum phenylalanine level of 1 mg/dL (60.5 mcmol/L) as a positive result for phenylketonuria (PKU).

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should interpret a serum phenylalanine level of 1 mg/dL (60.5 mcmol/L) as a positive result. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder where individuals lack the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, leading to a buildup of phenylalanine in the body. A normal serum phenylalanine level should be less than 1 mg/dL, so a level of 1 mg/dL indicates a positive result for PKU.