NB Assessment & Care - Care Of NB Right After Birth Flashcards
How should you care for a newborn immediately after birth?
- maintain cardiorespiratory function
- maintain thermoregulation
- encourage bonding + breastfeeding
- administer meds
- identify newborn/parents
- observe and document for urination and/or passage of meconium (first poop)
- perform and document brief assessment for major anomalies
How do you maintain a newborn’s cardiorespiratory function?
- Wipe mouth and nose
- clamp cord within 1-3 minutes after birth so lungs take on their role
- place infant on mother’s chest
Signs of respiratory distress?
- persistent/central cyanosis
- resp rate more than 60 breaths per min
- sustained HR is more than 160 or less than 110
- grunting, nasal flaring
What temperature should newborns body be?
36.5-37.5 degrees Celsius
How to support radiation of baby?
Do not place bed near window to prevent heat loss by radiation
How to support evaporation of baby?
Keep infant dry to prevent heat loss by evaporation
How to support conduction of baby?
Do not place infant on cold surface to prevent heat loss by conduction
How to support convection of baby?
Prevent drafts (unwanted air moving in and out) to avoid heat loss
What are some major anomalies a nurse should assess for?
- head trauma from delivery
- symmetry and equality of extremities (are they equal length? Do they move the same on both sides)
- assess digits of hands and feet (evidence of webbing? Abnormal number of digits?)
What two meds are administered to newborns?
- vitamin k injection (promotes clotting to avoid uncontrolled bleeding)
- erythromycin eye ointment (not always. Used to prevent eye infections)
What is apgar score?
A tool to help evaluate a newborn’s condition immediately after delivery
When is the score obtained?
1 and 5 minutes after birth
What are the 5 objective signs measures?
- HR
- RR
- Colour
- muscle tone
- reflexes/responses
