30 Questions
What is the characteristic of the infant's suck during the first 30 minutes after birth?
Vigorous
What is the typical heart rate of a newborn during the transitional assessment at birth?
180 beat/min
During the second period of reactivity, what is the characteristic of the infant's respiratory rate?
Increases
What is the duration of the second period of reactivity?
2-5 hours
What happens to the infant's temperature during the first reactive period?
Decreases
What is the characteristic of the infant's state during the second stage of the first reactive period?
Sleep and relative calm
What is the primary purpose of assessing a newborn's health and behavior?
To check the growth, health, and behavior of the baby
How many phases are involved in the physical assessment of a newborn?
Four
What is the scoring system used to assess a newborn's immediate adjustment to extrauterine life?
Apgar scoring system
What is the score range that indicates absence of difficulty in adjusting to extrauterine life?
7-10
When is the evaluation of all five categories of the Apgar scoring system made?
At 1 and 5 minutes after birth
What is the duration of the first period of reactivity in the transitional assessment of a newborn?
6-8 hours after birth
What is the primary objective of assessing gestational age in neonates?
To predict mortality risks and guide neonatal management
What is the term used to describe an infant whose weight is between the 10th and 90th percentiles?
Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA)
Which of the following is NOT a component of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale?
Gestational age
What is the limitation of using birth weight alone to determine gestational age?
It is a poor indicator of fetal maturity
What is the term used to describe the ability of an infant's organ systems to adapt to extra-uterine life?
Maturity
What is the purpose of classifying infants by both birth weight and gestational age?
To predict mortality risks and guide management
What is a characteristic of a newborn's skin at birth?
Red, puffy, and smooth
What is the significance of a cephalhematoma in a newborn?
It is a type of birth injury
What is the primary method of respiration in newborns?
Abdominal breathing
What is the normal length of a male newborn's penis?
2 cm
What is a characteristic of Erb's palsy in a newborn?
Abnormal posturing of the arms
What is the significance of a strong sucking reflex in a newborn?
It is a normal reflex
What is the response of an infant when the sole of the foot touches a hard surface?
Reciprocal flexion and extension of the leg
What is the primary mechanism of heat loss in newborns?
Evaporation
What is the purpose of drying the infant immediately after birth?
To prevent evaporation
What is the response of an infant when the cheek is touched or stroked along the side of the mouth?
Turning the head towards the side
What is the purpose of placing the newborn on the mother's body skin to skin?
To prevent conduction
What is the response of an infant when the palms are touched?
Flexing the hand
Study Notes
Newborn Assessment and Care
- The newborn is very alert and interested in the environment during the first 30 minutes after birth.
- During this initial stage, the neonate's eyes are usually open, and they have a vigorous suck, making it an opportune time to begin breastfeeding.
First Reactive Period
- The first reactive period lasts for 6-8 hours after birth and is characterized by:
- A high respiratory rate of up to 80 breaths/min
- A heart rate of up to 180 beats/min
- Active bowel sounds
- Increased mucus secretions
- A possible decrease in temperature
Second Reactive Period
- The second reactive period begins when the infant wakes up from a deep sleep and lasts for 2-5 hours.
- During this period, the infant is:
- Alert and responsive
- Heart rate and respiratory rate increase
- Gag reflex is active
- Gastric and respiratory secretions are increased
Purposes of Newborn Assessment
- To check the growth, health, and behavior of the baby
- To confirm the infant's maturity
- To identify any effects of the birth on the baby
- To detect congenital malformations
- To recognize the ill baby and institute treatment
- To inform the parents of any problems the baby may have or reassure them that the baby is healthy
- To provide the initial information for the child's ongoing health record
Physical Assessment of Newborn
- The physical assessment of newborn can be divided into four phases:
- Initial assessment using the Apgar scoring system
- Transitional assessment
- Assessment of gestational age
- Systematic physical assessment
Apgar Scoring
- The Apgar scoring system assesses the newborn's immediate adjustment to extrauterine life.
- The score is based on observation of:
- Heart rate
- Respiratory effort
- Muscle tone
- Reflex irritability
- Color
- Each item is given a score of 0, 1, or 2.
- Scores of 0-3 represent severe distress.
- Scores of 4-6 signify moderate difficulty.
- Scores of 7-10 indicate absence of difficulty in adjusting to extrauterine life.
Behavioral Assessment
- The Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale assesses:
- Habituation
- Orientation
- Motor performance
- Range of state
- Regulation of state
- Autonomic stability
- Reflexes
Clinical Assessment of Gestational Age
- Assessment of gestational age is important because perinatal morbidity and mortality are related to gestational age and birth weight.
- Classification by both weight and gestational age provides a more satisfactory method for predicting mortality risks and providing guidelines for management of the neonate.
Systematic Physical Assessment
- The assessment includes:
- General appearance
- Posture
- Skin
- Head and neck
- Face
- Eyes
- Nose
- Mouth
- Ears
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Genitals and anus
- Extremities
- Lesions
- Birth marks
- Reflexes
Nursing Care of the Newborn
- Maintain a patent airway
- Maintain stable body temperature by:
- Preventing heat loss through evaporation, radiation, conduction, and convection
- Using mechanisms such as drying the infant, placing them on the mother's body, covering them with a blanket, and keeping them away from cold objects
- Other important aspects of nursing care include:
- Hand washing
- Maintaining a clean environment
- Providing a safe and supportive environment for the newborn
Assess the health and well-being of newborns with this quiz, covering physical assessment, congenital malformations, and initial care. Test your knowledge on identifying potential issues and providing critical information for ongoing health records. Learn how to reassure parents and institute necessary treatment for newborns.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
