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Administering 300 mg of Rh immune globulin (Rhogam) is the appropriate action in this scenario. Rh immune globulin is given to Rh-negative mothers who have delivered an Rh-positive baby to prevent the mother from developing antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells. This is critical to avoid hemolytic disease in future pregnancies.
Although the recommended time frame for administering Rhogam is within 72 hours postpartum, if this timeline has been missed, it is still vital to provide the injection as soon as the oversight is discovered. Administering Rhogam now helps protect future pregnancies and minimizes the risk of maternal sensitization.
In situations when administration is delayed beyond the ideal window, the SH guidelines suggest that the dose can still be given to provide protection, especially if the risk factors indicate potential Rh incompatibility complications.
Other options do not align with the urgency and importance of administering Rh immune globulin promptly. Performing a Kleihauer-Betke smear, while useful for determining the extent of fetal-maternal hemorrhage, is not a critical step before administering Rhogam in this case. Delaying administration until the next office visit would leave the mother at risk for sensitization, and administering the injection and scheduling a Kleihauer-B