Newborn Care Fundamentals

Questions and Answers

An infant is considered to be premature if it:

is born before 40 weeks' gestation or weighs less than 7 lb

is born before 38 weeks' gestation or weighs less than 6 lb

weighs less than 5.5 lbs or is born before 37 weeks' gestation

weighs less than 5 lbs or is born before 36 weeks' gestation (correct)

If a newborn's heart rate is less than 60 beats/min following delivery, you should:

begin chest compressions

flick the soles of his or her feet

provide ventilations for 30 seconds (correct)

resuscitation the mouth only

Spina bifida is a developmental defect in which:

an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid damages the spinal cord

a portion of the spinal cord or meninges protrudes outside of the vertebrae (correct)

nerve fibers that arise from the spinal cord do not function properly

the spinal column is severely deformed, resulting in permanent paralysis

Upon delivery of an infant's head, you note that the umbilical cord is wrapped around its neck. You should:

attempt to slip the cord gently over the infant's head Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the Apgar score?

Body size Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT generally considered an obstetrical emergency?

Return of contractions following delivery of the baby Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding suctioning of a newborn's mouth and oropharynx is correct?

Suctioning is indicated prior to cutting the cord if respiratory distress is present Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding twins is correct?

Most twins are born within 45 minutes of each other Signup and view all the answers

You have just delivered a baby boy. His body is pink, but his hands and feet are blue. His heart rate is approximately 110 beats/min and his respirations are rapid and irregular. His Apgar score is:

8 Signup and view all the answers

You have just delivered a premature baby. Your assessment reveals that he is breathing adequately; however, his heart rate is 90 beats/min. You should:

keep him warm and ventilate with a BVM Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Premature Infants

An infant is classified as premature if born before 36 weeks' gestation or weighs less than 5 lbs.

Newborn Resuscitation

If a newborn's heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute after delivery, initiate ventilations for 30 seconds before other interventions.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida involves a developmental defect where part of the spinal cord or meninges protrudes outside the vertebrae.

Umbilical Cord Management

If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the infant's neck during delivery, gently attempt to slip it over the head.

Apgar Score Components

The Apgar score does not include body size; it evaluates pulse, grimace response, activity, and respiratory effort.

Obstetrical Emergencies

Return of contractions following delivery is not generally considered an obstetrical emergency.

Suctioning Newborns

Suctioning of a newborn's mouth and oropharynx is warranted if respiratory distress is present, even before cutting the cord.

Twin Births

Most twins are delivered within 45 minutes of each other; identical twins can be of the same gender, and fraternal twins typically have separate cords.

Apgar Scoring Example

A newborn displaying a pink body with blue extremities, a heart rate of 110 beats/min, rapid irregular breathing, weak cry, and resistance to limb straightening has an Apgar score of 8.

Care for Premature Babies

For a premature infant breathing adequately but with a heart rate of 90 beats/min, it is crucial to keep the baby warm and ventilate with a bag-valve-mask (BVM).

Description

Test your knowledge on essential aspects of newborn care, including premature infants, resuscitation techniques, and management of umbilical cords. This quiz covers critical topics like the Apgar score and spina bifida. Perfect for those in healthcare or related fields.