Chapter 17 Flashcards
the majority of high-risk infants are born in _____ weeks?
less than 37 weeks
(preterm)
organ systems of preterm infants are __
immature and lack adequate reserves of bodily nutrients
potential problems and care needs of a preterm infant weighing 2000g differ from ____
potential problems and care needs of a preterm infant weighing 2000g differ from those of a term, post term or postmature infant of equal weight
high-risk newborn classification factors
- birth weight
- gestational age
- predominant pathophysiologic problems
extremely low-birth weight
1000g/2.2lb or less
very low-birth weight
less than1500g/3.3lbs
low-birth weight (LBW)
2500g/5.5lbs or less
very premature (GA)
less than 32 weeks
premature (GA)
born between 32 and 34 weeks
late premature (GA)
born between 34 and 37 weeks
tone and flexion of preterm infant
- increased with greater GA
- early in gestation, resting tone and posture are hypotonic and extended
skin of preterm infant
- translucent
- transparent
- red
subcutaneous fat of preterm infant
decreased
lanugo of preterm infant
- present between 20 and 28 weeks
- at 28 weeks GA, lanugo begins to disappear on the face and the front of the trunk
foot creases of preterm infant
- not present until 28-30 weeks
- plantar creases increase and spread toward the heel of the foot as GA increases
eyelids of preterm infant
- fused in very preterm
- eyelids open between 26-30 weeks gestation
overriding sutures of preterm infants
- common among premature, LBW infants
pinna of preterm infants
- thin
- soft
- flat
- folded
eyelids open between ___-___ weeks gestation
- eyelids open between 26-30 weeks gestation
foot creases are present at what GA?
between 28-30 weeks
lanugo is present at what GA?
between 20-28 weeks
nursing actions for preterm infants
- look at general appearance
- respiratory and cardiovascular support
- maintain neutral thermal environment (NTE)
- nutrition
- fluid and electrolytes
- involving parents
- tests and procedures
cardiovascular assessment
- HR
- HR rhythm
- murmurs
- skin color
- pulses
- capillary refill
how to provide cardiovascular support
- monitor BP, O2 sat, and blood gas
- obtain and monitor hemoglobin and hematocrit per order
- administer blood transfusion per order
fluid and electrolyte balance: nurse actions
- monitor I&O by weighing diapers- 1g=1ml
- assess frequency, color, amount, SG to determine hydration
- record intake from IV fluids
- restrict fluids per order
- monitor electrolyte levels
- administer IV fluids per order
- add humidity to environment to decrease fluid loss through the skin
nutrition: nurse actions
- monitor blood glucose
- administer feeds (trophic, parenteral, enteral)
trophic feeding
- small volume enteral feedings
parenteral feeding
- for infants below 32 weeks
- IV feedings
enteral feeding
- administered orally or by gastric tubes
- can be given via GI tract
signs of respiratory distress syndrome
- tachypnea (RR above 60)
- nasal flaring
- grunting
- intercostal or subcostal retractions
- skin color is gray or dusky
- decreased breath sounds
- lethargic and hypotonic
- tachycardia (HR above 160)
L/S ratio
ratio between the two phospholipids provides information on the level of surfactant (maturity of lungs)
- non-diabetic mom: 2:1 ratio indicates mature fetal lungs
- diabetic mom: 3:1 ratio indicates mature fetal lungs
what is bronchopulmonary dysplasia/who does it affect?
- chronic lung infection
- affects neonates who have been treated with mechanical ventilators and oxygen for problems like RDS
what can bronchopulmonary dysplasia lead to?
- decreased lung compliance and pulmonary function secondary to:
- fibrosis,
- atelectasis,
- increased pulmonary resistance,
- overdistention of the lungs
who is at an increased risk for BPD?
- neonates who are dependent on oxygen beyond 28 days of life
and/or - have been mechanical ventilation
what is an intravascular hemorrhage?
- bleeding around the ventricles of the brain
- common among very low birth weight babies (1500g)
intravascular hemorrhage: sudden changes in condition
- bradycardia
- increased oxygen requirements
- hypotonia
- metabolic acidosis
- shock
- decreased hematocrit
- full and/or tense anterior fontanel*
- hyperglycemia
intravascular hemorrhage: s/ bleeding is worsening
- apnea
- increased need for ventilator support
- drop in BP
- acidosis
- seizures
- full and tense fontanels and rapid increase in head size
- diminished activity or LOC
what is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)?
- a gastrointestinal disease that affects neonates that results in inflammation and necrosis of the bowel
NEC assessment/sx
- abdominal distention
- visibile bowel loops
- emesis
- bloody stools
- abnormal VS- hypotensive, temp instability
- tender belly
- green vomit
what increases the chances for medical management of NEC?
early recognition
nurse actions for NEC
- withhold feedings per orders and obtain IV access
- perform gastric decompression per orders by placing an orogastric tube and connecting it to low suction
- monitor I&O
- maintain circulating blood volume
- maintain adequate hydration
- prepare neonate and family for surgery when indicated (reanastomosis)
retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
- common in premature neonates
- occurs because the retina is not completely vascularized and is susceptible to stress or injury
what can result from retinopathy of prematurity?
blindness
risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity
- high levels of O2
- premature
decreasing the risk of retinopathy of prematurity includes
- continuous monitoring of oxygen to maintain prescribed pulse oximetry parameters
- careful use of oxygen during procedures such as suctioning
- use of equipment such as oxygen blenders to ensure the exact concentration of oxygen
- properly maintaining and calibrating oxygen systems
post-term infant
- born > 41 weeks
- 4-14% of births
risk factors of post-term infants
- anencephaly
- hx of post-term
- first pregnancy
- grand multiparous women
complications of post-term infant
- Hypoglycemia
- Fetal hypoxia
- Meconium aspiration
- Neuro complications – seizures
- Cold stress due to diminished SC FAT!!
- Polycythemia R/T ↓ perfusion of “older placenta” leads to ↑ production of RBC’s.
- More RBC’s leads to hyperbilirubinemia
- Cephalohematoma and/or Caput succedaneum
- Birth Trauma from macrosomia
meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS)
- Aspiration of meconium into tracheo-bronchial tree during 1st few breaths after delivery
- Causes obstruction of air flow → ↓oxygenation, potential atelectasis and pneumothorax
s/sx of MAS
- low APGAR scores
- grunting
- flaring
- retracting with decreased breath sounds
- barrel chest
MAS interventions/nurse actions
- Assist with suctioning and resuscitation at delivery
- Assess for respiratory distress
- Assess for neuro problems
- Administer O2
- Monitor blood glucose
- Manage cooling systems used to reduce cerebral injury
MAS complications
- pneumothorax
- infection
- pneumonia
- PPHN
pneumothorax
collection of air outside the lungs but within the pleural cavity
- between visceral and parietal pleura inside the chest
persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) of the newborn
- results when the normal vasodilation and relaxation of the pulmonary vascular bed do not occur
- need to involve parents, keep them informed
PPHN leads to
- elevated pulmonary vascular resistance
- right ventricular hypertension
- right-to-left shunting of blood through the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
PPHN risk factors
- Hypoxia and Asphyxia (most common)
- Low APGAR scores
- RDS, MAS, Pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Delayed circulation – delayed resuscitation
- Congenital problems
SGA and IUGR
- Defined as weight is below the <10th percentile expected at term
- Symmetric IUGR
- Asymmetric IUGR
symmetric IUGR
- generalized proportional reduction in the size of all structures and organs except for heart and brain, occurs early in pregnancy and affects general growth
- can be identified via ultrasound in early 2nd trimester
Asymmetric IUGR
- a disproportional reduction in size of structures and organs, results from maternal or placental conditions that occur later in pregnancy and impede placental blood flow
SGA/IUGR interventions/nurse actions
- Assess for meconium at delivery
- Assess temperature
- Provide NTE
- Assess for hypoglycemia
- Weigh daily
- Strict I&O