Newborn Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

Where are the most critical changes in a newborn?

A

Respiratory and cardiac system

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2
Q

What chemical events initiate breathing?

A

Mild asphyxia, hypoxia⇒ decreased PO2, pH, and increased CO2

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3
Q

Which 2 things prompt fetal circulatory structures to begin closing?

A

First breath plus cutting umbilical cord

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4
Q

When does surfactant production begin?

A

Around 24-25 weeks

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5
Q

When does surfactant production peak?

A

34-36 weeks

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6
Q

What is surfactant made up of?

A

Lecithin & sphingomyelin in a 2:1 ratio (ideally)

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7
Q

Respiratory rate of a newborn

A

60-70, up to 100
Will decrease to 30-60

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8
Q

Signs of respiratory distress in newborns

A

Grunting, flaring, retracting, tachyphea, cyanosis, pallor, poor muscle tone, apnea

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9
Q

Which circulatory structures close on the fetus to transition into adult circulation?

A

Foramenovale, ductus arteriosus, ductus venous

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10
Q

Are crackles a normal finding when listeningto a newborn’s lungs?

A

Yes, for the first few hours, infants have a lot of mucus innings

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11
Q

When does the foramen ovale close?ductus arteriosus?ductus venosus?

A

Foramen ovale: Closes functionally 1-2 hours after birth (permanently after 2-4 months)
Ductus arteriosus: closes functionally 10-15 hours after birth (permanently in 1-2 weeks)
Ductus venosus: closes functionally soon after birth (permanently at 1-2 weeks)

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12
Q

Where are the pressure changes when the transition from fetal to neonatal circulation occurs?

A

Heart / pulmonary & systemic circulation

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13
Q

When should an infant’s cardiovascular assessment be performed?

A

When the infant is asleep/quiet

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14
Q

What is an infant’s heart rate normally?

A

110-160

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15
Q

What is a passing oximetry screen for an infant?

A

≥ 95% 02 sat in right hand or foot
≤ 3% difference between right hand and foot

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16
Q

What is a failing oximetry test for an infant?

A

<90% in initial/repeat screening either foot or right hand
90-94% in right hand and foot on 3 measures 1 hour apart
> 3% difference in 02 sat by right hand and either foot on 3 measures, 1 hour apart

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17
Q

Where is pre ductal blood?

A

Right hand/arm

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18
Q

Where is post ductal blood?

A

Lower extremities

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19
Q

Normal temperature for a newborn?

A

Axillary= 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F)

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20
Q

Why are transient murmurs not uncommon in infants?

A

Not all of the ducts in the heart are fully closed yet

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21
Q

How does an infant produce heat?

A

Nonshivering thermogenesis, increase in muscle activity/restlessness, peripheral vascular constriction

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22
Q

Why is the breakdown of brown fat not ideal?

A

Consumes a lot of calories and oxygen

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23
Q

What are the 4 methods of heat loss?

A

Conduction, convection, evaporation, radiation

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24
Q

What is conduction?

A

Contact with cold objects

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25
Q

What is convection?

A

Cold air draft

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26
Q

What is evaporation?

A

Wet/moist skin dried by air resulting in cooling

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27
Q

What is radiation?

A

No direct contact, transfer of heat to a cooler object

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28
Q

What hormone is released to metabolize brown fat?

A

Norepinephrine

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29
Q

How long do iron stores last?

A

4-6 months

30
Q

When does intestinal flora emerge in a newborn?

A

After 1st feeding

31
Q

What is the normal blood glucose range for an infant after 24 hours?

A

45-96 mg/dl

32
Q

When is vitamin K administered to infants? What does vitamin K do?

A

Administered within the 1st hour of life and it influences the activation of coagulation factors

33
Q

what is considered hypoglycemic for infants after 24 hours?

A

<40mg/dl

34
Q

What kind of cry does a hypoglycemic baby have?

A

Weak, high pitched

35
Q

What is seen in an infant with hyperbilirubinemia?

A

High levels of unconjugated bilrubin

36
Q

What causes jaundice?

A

Unconjugated bilirubin

37
Q

What is bilirubin?

A

Breakdown product of hemoglobin

38
Q

How is bilirubin transported and excreted?

A

Binds to albumin, transported to the liver and bound to intracellular proteins and conjugated ⇒ excreted in bile and carried to intestines ⇒ further broken down in intestine

39
Q

What is unconjugated bilirubin?

A

Indirect, lipid soluble, non-excretable. Crosses the blood brain barrier

40
Q

What is conjugated bilirubin?

A

Direct, water-soluble, excitable

41
Q

What kind of jaundice do most infants have 48-72 hours after birth?

A

Physiologic

42
Q

How long does physiologic jaundice typically last?

A

> 1 week in term infants, 2 weeks in premature infants

43
Q

When does pathologic jaundice occur?

A

Within 24 hours of birth

44
Q

What may cause pathologic jaundice?

A

Rh/ABO incompatibility, sequestered blood, breastfeeding or delayed feedings

45
Q

What does a positive directCoombs test on newborn blood indicate?

A

Hemolytic disease

46
Q

What does a positive indirect Coombs test on maternal blood indicate?

A

Anti- Rh antibodies

47
Q

What is the goal of jaundice treatment?

A

Kernicterus prevention

48
Q

What is phototherapy?

A

Rapid conversion of bilirubin to photobilrubin which does not require conjugation in the liver

49
Q

What can acute bilirubin encephalopathy lead to?

A

Kernicterus

50
Q

What % of term infants get jaundice? Preterm?

A

60%, 80%

51
Q

5 common screenings done on all newborns

A

Critical congenital heart disease, hyperbilirubinemia screening, glucose homeostasis screening, genetic disease screen, hearing screen

52
Q

Why are neonates prone to infection?

A

Their defense mechanisms are not fully mature

53
Q

What are some portals for bacterial entry on neonates?

A

Eyes, skin breakdown, and cord stump

54
Q

Which antibody is passed across the placenta passively during the last trimester of pregnancy?

A

IgG

55
Q

Which antibody is passed in the colostrum and is produced by newborns at 1 month?

A

IgA

56
Q

Which antibody is produced by the fetus in response to infection and does not cross the placenta?

A

IgM

57
Q

3 categories of neonatal infections

A

Acute life- threatening infection of the blood, localized infections, congenital infections

58
Q

What is considered vertical transmission?

A

Mother to infant: transplacental, ascending, intrapartum

59
Q

What is horizontal transmission?

A

From nursery personnel and hospital environment

60
Q

Signs of sepsis

A

Temp instability/hypothermia, respiratory distress, poor feeding/feeding intolerance, lethargy/irritability, persistent hypoglycemia

61
Q

Why can newborns dehydrate quickly?

A

Kidneys are immature

62
Q

Why does “brick-dust” urine occur?

A

Uric acid crystals in urine

63
Q

What does the Ballard maturational tool assess? What are the components of this assessment

A

Determines gestational age. 6 neuromuscular maturity assessments, 6 physical maturity assessments

64
Q

5 behavioral capacities of a newborn?

A

Habituation, orientation, self-quieting, motor maturity, social behaviors

65
Q

Where can newborns see the clearest?

A

8-12 inches from them, and they like to see bright colors

66
Q

Can newborns recognize voices?

A

Yes, especially maternal voice

67
Q

What smell do newborns respond to?

A

Breast milk

68
Q

What kind of taste does a newborn prefer?

A

Sweet tastes

69
Q

How often does an infant cry per day? When will the crying peak?

A

5 minutes to 2 hours per day. peaks at 2 months, then decreases

70
Q

What is another term for shaken baby syndrome? When does this most often occur?

A

Abusive head trauma. Most common at 2-4 months

71
Q

Who accounts for the majority of perpetrators for causing shaken baby syndrome?

A

Biological fathers ⇒ stepfathers ⇒ mothers’ boyfriend ⇒ mothers