Characteristics Of A Well Neonate

Question 1

What are the two general appearances of a newborn?

Answer 1

• Well perfumed skin
• Good muscle tone

Question 2

What does well perfumed skin mean?

Answer 2

Head and torso should be well perfused - acrocyanosis (blue tinge of hands and feet) is very common.

Question 3

What should you remember when checking a newborn has well perfumed skin?

Answer 3

Remember… different ethnicities display different skin tone colours. The full-term newborn baby from White ethnic groups will exhibit a generally pink, pale skin colour. The full-term newborn baby from Black or Asian ethnic groups will exhibit a purplish-blue skin colour.

Question 4

What does a good muscle tone mean?

Answer 4

Baby should have a well-developed muscle tone -they should have the ability to exhibit firm and well-coordinated movements, indicating a healthy and robust neuromuscular system. The newborn should display active and vigorous movements and display alert behaviour.

Question 5

What is the normal heart rate for a newborn?

Answer 5

110-160 bpm

Question 6

What would be classed as bradycardia in a newborn?

Answer 6

<110bpm

Question 7

What would be classed as tachycardia in a newborn?

Answer 7

> 160bpm

Question 8

What is the normal RR for a newborn?

Answer 8

30-40 breaths per minute

Question 9

What would be classed as tachypnoea in a newborn?

Answer 9

> 60 breaths min

Question 10

What would be classed as bradypnoea in a newborn?

Answer 10

<30 breaths min

Question 11

What is the normal temperature for a newborn?

Answer 11

36.5-37.5 degrees celcius

Question 12

What is classed as hypothermia in a newborn?

Answer 12

<36.5 degrees celcius

Question 13

What is classed as hyperthermia in a newborn?

Answer 13

> 37.5 degrees celcius

Question 14

What should you check on a newborns head and face?

Answer 14

• Symmetrical head shape
• Fontanelles: soft and flat
• Well-defined facial features
• No obvious birth trauma

Question 15

How should a newborns eyes look?

Answer 15

Eyes should be clear, bright, and alert. The pupils should also be equal in size and reactive to light

Question 16

How should a newborns ears look?

Answer 16

Ears should be well formed, symmetrical and positioned centrally, not too low set

Question 17

How should a newborns mouth and throat look?

Answer 17

Baby should suck and swallow effectively when latched on the breast or teat. The mouth should be intact

Question 18

What is an APGAR?

Answer 18

The Apgar score is a quick way for health professionals to evaluate the health of all newborns at 1 and 5 minutes after birth and in response to resuscitation

Question 19

What does APGAR stand for?

Answer 19

Activity (muscle tone)
Pulse
Grimace (reflex irritability)
Appearance (skin colour)
Respiration

Question 20

What is classed as a normal apgar score?

Answer 20

Scores of seven and above are generally normal

Question 21

What is classed as a fairly low apgar score?

Answer 21

Four - six

Question 22

What is classed as a critically low apgar score?

Answer 22

Three and below are generally regarded as critically low and cause for immediate resuscitative efforts