12 Questions
The Apgar score ranges from zero to five.
False
The Apgar score includes assessment of skin color, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.
True
An Apgar score of 7 to 10 indicates a critical condition that requires immediate resuscitation.
False
An Apgar score of 4 to 6 suggests a fairly low condition where gentle stimulation and oxygen may be administered.
True
The Apgar score is used to evaluate the mother's condition after childbirth.
False
A baby should be dried using a cold towel to prevent heat loss immediately after delivery.
False
A newborn with a strong cry, actively moving blue extremities, and vital signs P140, R48 would likely have an APGAR score of 10.
False
Suctioning secretions from the mouth and nose of a newborn should be done using a bulb syringe only, as a catheter is not suitable.
False
Newborn babies should be kept on their stomachs to ensure unimpeded air movement through the trachea.
False
Hypothermia in infants can improve their metabolic rate and respiratory function.
False
Skin-to-skin contact with a parent (Kangaroo care) does not help in maintaining the infant’s temperature.
False
Eye prophylaxis with 1% silver nitrate drops or 0.5% erythromycin should be done before the head is born.
False
Study Notes
Immediate Care of the Newborn Infant
- The newborn infant should be dried immediately after delivery, ideally with a warm, soft towel, but any dry, absorbing material can be used in an emergency.
- Maintaining cardiopulmonary function is crucial, and the infant's Apgar score should be assessed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.
Apgar Score
- The Apgar score was devised by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952 to assess the health of newborn children.
- The score ranges from 0 to 10, based on five signs: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration.
- The score is generally interpreted as follows:
- 3 and below: Critically low, requires resuscitation.
- 4 to 6: Fairly low, gentle stimulation and oxygen administration may be necessary.
- 7 to 10: Generally normal.
Suctioning and Positioning
- Suctioning the airway with a bulb syringe or catheter may be necessary to remove secretions.
- Babies should be kept on their backs or tilted to the side to permit air to move unimpeded through the trachea.
Supportive Thermoregulation
- Hypothermia can worsen respiratory problems, so the infant should be placed on a prewarmed warmer and dried with warm towels.
- Skin-to-skin contact with a parent (Kangaroo care) can help maintain the infant's temperature and promote bonding.
Identification and Eye Care
- The infant should be identified with an ID band, and only released to adults with a matching band.
- The eyes of all infants should be cleaned immediately after birth, and protected against gonococcal/chlamydial infection with 1% silver nitrate drops or 0.5% erythromycin.
Vitamin K and Other Procedures
- A single injection of 0.5 to 1.0 mg of natural vitamin K should be given to prevent bleeding disorders during the first week of life.
- The infant's weight, height, head and chest circumference, and any congenital abnormalities should be checked.
- Oral polio and BCG vaccines should be administered, and the baby transferred to the ward.
Care of Low Birth Weight Newborns
- Low birth weight babies require extra care for warmth, feeding, and infection prevention.
- They should be monitored for danger signs and congenital abnormalities.
Birth Asphyxia
- Immediate action for birth asphyxia includes drying the baby, turning them on their side, and briskly rubbing their back to help them start breathing.
Test your knowledge on the immediate care of newborn infants including drying techniques and maintaining cardiopulmonary function with the assessment of Apgar scores. Learn about essential steps after the delivery of a baby.
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