Chapter 18: Nursing Management of the Newborn Flashcards
Which of the following is the primary parameter assessed in the Apgar score for determining the newborn’s ability to survive?
A. Respiratory effort
B. Appearance (color)
C. Heart rate
D. Muscle tone
C. Heart rate
Rationale: The heart rate is considered the most important diagnostic and prognostic parameter of the Apgar score. It plays a significant role in assessing the newborn’s ability to survive and adapt to extrauterine life.
A newborn is evaluated at 1 minute after birth and has the following observations: Heart rate of 110 bpm, grimace to stimulation, active movement, and good respiratory effort with normal color. Based on the Apgar score, what total score would the nurse assign?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 10
C. 8
Rationale: The newborn’s observations indicate a score of 2 for heart rate (110 bpm), grimace (2), activity (2), and respiratory effort (2), and a score of 2 for appearance (normal color). This totals to 8, which is within the normal range (8–10).
Which of the following factors can influence the Apgar score of a newborn? Select all that apply.
A. Presence of infection
B. Newborn’s gestational age
C. Maternal medications
D. Labor complications
E. Breastfeeding immediately after birth
A. Presence of infection
B. Newborn’s gestational age
C. Maternal medications
D. Labor complications
Rationale: Factors such as infection, newborn maturity, maternal medications, and labor management can all influence the Apgar score. Breastfeeding does not influence the Apgar score directly.
At 5 minutes after birth, a newborn is observed to have the following: weak cry, heart rate of 90 bpm, limp muscle tone, and slight cyanosis of the extremities. What Apgar score should the nurse assign?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
B. 4
Rationale: Based on the observations, the nurse would assign a score of 1 for respiratory effort (weak cry), 1 for heart rate (90 bpm), 0 for muscle tone (limp), 1 for grimace (slight response), and 1 for appearance (cyanosis of extremities). This totals 4, indicating moderate difficulty.
Which of the following statements regarding the Apgar score is accurate?
A. The Apgar score is only assessed at 5 minutes after birth.
B. A score of 4 to 7 indicates severe distress in adjusting to extrauterine life.
C. A score of 8 or higher generally indicates that no intervention is needed beyond basic care.
D. The Apgar score is used to predict long-term outcomes of the newborn.
C. A score of 8 or higher generally indicates that no intervention is needed beyond basic care.
Rationale: A score of 8 or higher typically indicates that no intervention is needed except for routine care, such as supporting respiratory efforts and maintaining thermoregulation. Apgar scores assess immediate newborn adaptation, not long-term outcomes.
When a newborn has an Apgar score of 0 to 3, what is the likely interpretation of this score?
A. The newborn is adjusting well to extrauterine life.
B. The newborn is in severe distress and requires immediate intervention.
C. The newborn’s Apgar score is normal.
D. The newborn will likely be able to transition smoothly after 5 minutes.
B. The newborn is in severe distress and requires immediate intervention.
Rationale: A score of 0 to 3 indicates severe distress and suggests that the newborn requires immediate resuscitation and intervention to help adapt to extrauterine life.
Which of the following signs would cause the Apgar score to be lower at 1 minute after birth?
A. Presence of a strong cry
B. Active muscle tone and movement
C. Bluish appearance with central cyanosis
D. Grimace in response to stimulation
C. Bluish appearance with central cyanosis
Rationale: Central cyanosis, or bluish discoloration of the body (especially the trunk), suggests inadequate oxygenation and would lower the Apgar score.
The nurse is assessing a newborn at 10 minutes after birth. The 5-minute Apgar score was 6. Which of the following actions is most appropriate?
A. The nurse should assess the newborn’s Apgar score again at 15 minutes.
B. The nurse should immediately initiate resuscitation measures.
C. The nurse should notify the physician if the score drops below 5.
D. The nurse should continue to monitor the newborn and document findings.
D. The nurse should continue to monitor the newborn and document findings.
Rationale: If the 5-minute Apgar score is 6, it indicates moderate difficulty. The nurse should continue monitoring the newborn and assess the score at 10 minutes as part of routine practice. If the score is still low, additional intervention may be required.
Which of the following newborn characteristics is most likely to cause a decreased Apgar score?
A. Term gestation
B. Good muscle tone
C. Maternal sedation during labor
D. Positive response to tactile stimulation
C. Maternal sedation during labor
Rationale: Maternal sedation during labor can depress the newborn’s central nervous system, leading to a decreased Apgar score. This may affect heart rate, reflex irritability, and respiratory effort.
Which of the following is the primary criterion assessed in the “appearance” category of the Apgar score?
A. Muscle tone
B. Heart rate
C. Respiratory effort
D. Color of the newborn’s skin
D. Color of the newborn’s skin
Rationale: The “appearance” category in the Apgar score refers to the newborn’s skin color, which is an important indicator of oxygenation and circulatory status.
A newborn is noted to have a heart rate of 60 bpm, no grimace in response to stimulation, and weak muscle tone with slow, irregular breathing. What is the total score for this newborn based on the Apgar assessment?
A. 3
B. 5
C. 6
D. 8
A. 3
Rationale: Based on the assessment, the scores are: 0 for heart rate (less than 60 bpm), 0 for grimace (no response), 1 for muscle tone (weak), 1 for respiratory effort (irregular breathing), and 0 for appearance (cyanosis or pale). The total Apgar score is 3.
Which Apgar score would indicate that a newborn is experiencing no difficulty in adjusting to extrauterine life?
A. 3
B. 6
C. 8
D. 10
D. 10
Rationale: A score of 10 indicates that the newborn is in excellent condition with no need for intervention other than routine care.
What Apgar score would indicate the newborn requires some medical assistance, such as respiratory support or intervention?
A. 10
B. 8
C. 5
D. 1
C. 5
Rationale: A score of 5 indicates moderate difficulty, suggesting the newborn may need medical assistance such as respiratory support, stimulation, or observation.
A newborn demonstrates the following characteristics at 1 minute after birth: heart rate of 130 bpm, no response to stimuli, limp muscle tone, absent respiratory effort, and has a normal color appearance. What is the Apgar score for this newborn?
A. 1
B. 4
C. 6
D. 9
B. 4
Rationale: Based on the assessment, the scores are: 2 for heart rate (130 bpm), 0 for grimace (no response), 0 for muscle tone (limp), 0 for respiratory effort (absent), and 2 for appearance (normal color). The total Apgar score is 4.
A newborn is evaluated at 1 minute post-birth and receives the following scores: heart rate = 2, respiratory effort = 1, muscle tone = 1, reflex irritability = 1, and skin color = 0. What is the total Apgar score, and what does it indicate?
A. 5, moderate difficulty
B. 4, severe distress
C. 6, healthy condition
D. 4, healthly condition
A. , moderate difficulty
Rationale: The total Apgar score is 5, which falls in the moderate difficulty range, indicating the newborn may need intervention but is not in severe distress.
A newborn is assessed at 1 minute after birth and receives a score of 8. What is the next step for the nurse?
A. Provide immediate resuscitation.
B. Monitor the newborn for changes in respiratory status.
C. No intervention is needed, continue routine care.
D. Administer oxygen and prepare for possible complications.
C. No intervention is needed, continue routine care.
Rationale: A score of 8 is within the healthy range (7–10), meaning the newborn does not require immediate intervention beyond routine care and observation.
A newborn’s Apgar score at 5 minutes post-birth is 6. What does this score indicate about the newborn’s condition?
A. The newborn is in severe distress and requires immediate resuscitation.
B. The newborn is in excellent condition and requires no intervention.
C. The newborn’s heart rate and respiratory rate are normal but still needs continuous monitoring.
D. The newborn has moderate difficulty adjusting to extrauterine life and may require medical support.
D. The newborn has moderate difficulty adjusting to extrauterine life and may require medical support.
Rationale: A score of 6 indicates moderate difficulty and suggests the newborn may need medical support, such as respiratory assistance or close monitoring.
Which of the following best describes the Apgar scoring criteria?
A. A method to predict long-term developmental outcomes.
B. A system to assess a newborn’s immediate transition to extrauterine life.
C. A tool to determine the newborn’s genetic traits.
D. A scale used to evaluate the need for neonatal vaccinations.
B. A system to assess a newborn’s immediate transition to extrauterine life.
Rationale: The Apgar score evaluates the newborn’s immediate adjustment to extrauterine life by assessing vital signs and physical conditions.
Which score range on the Apgar scale indicates that the newborn is in severe distress and may require immediate resuscitation?
A. 7–10
B. 4–6
C. 0–3
D. 5–8
C. 0–3
Rationale: A score of 0–3 indicates severe distress and requires immediate resuscitation and intensive medical intervention.
A nurse is assessing the newborn’s heart rate and finds it to be 95 bpm. How many points should the newborn receive for heart rate on the Apgar scale?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
B. 1
Rationale: A heart rate of 95 bpm is classified as “slow” (<100 bpm), which earns 1 point for heart rate.
A newborn is observed to have irregular, shallow respirations and an occasional weak cry. What score should the nurse assign for respiratory effort on the Apgar scale?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
B. 1
Rationale: Slow, irregular, shallow respirations are given 1 point for respiratory effort on the Apgar scale.
The nurse assesses a newborn’s muscle tone and finds the infant to have tight flexion and good resistance to extension. What score should be assigned for muscle tone?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
C. 2
Rationale: Tight flexion, good resistance to extension, and quick return to the flexed position after extension indicate a score of 2 for muscle tone.
A nurse flicks the soles of a newborn’s feet and observes that the infant grimaces and frowns in response. What score should be assigned for reflex irritability?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
B. 1
Rationale: A grimace or frown in response to stimulation (e.g., flicking the soles of the feet) earns 1 point for reflex irritability.
A newborn is cyanotic at birth with a pink trunk but blue extremities (acrocyanosis). What score should be assigned for skin color?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
B. 1
Rationale: The newborn has appropriate body color with blue extremities, which is scored as 1 point for skin color.