The Normal Newborn Flashcards
The newborn transitional period consists of the first ___ of life.
6 to 8 hours
The nurse anticipates which newborns will be at greater risk for problems in the transitional period. State three factors that predispose to respiratory depression in the newborn.
Cesarean section delivery; magnesium sulfate given to mother in labor; asphyxia or fetal distress during labor
What is the danger to the newborn of heat loss in the first few hours of life?
It leads to depletion of glucose (there is very little glycogen storage in immature liver); body begins to use brown fat for energy, producing ketones and causing subsequent ketoacidosis and shock.
Normal newborn temperature is ___. Normal newborn heart rate is ___. Normal newborn respiratory rate is ___.
97.7 to 99.4 degrees F; 110 to 160 bpm; 30 to 60; 80/50
The nurse records a temperature below 97F on admission of the newborn. What nursing actions should be taken?
Place newborn in isolette or under radiant warmer and attach a temperature skin probe to regulate temperature in isolette or radiant warmer. Double-wrap newborn if no isolette or warmer is available, and put cap on head. Watch for signs of hypothermia and hypoglycemia.
True or false: The newborn’s head is usually smaller than the chest.
False: The head is usually 2 cm larger unless severe molding occurred.
During the physical examination of the newborn, the nurse notes the cry is shrill, high-pitched, and weak. What are the possible causes?
CNS anomalies, brain damage, hypoglycemia, drug withdrawal
The nurse notes a swelling over the back part of the newborn’s head. Is this a normal newborn variation?
It depends on the finding. If it crosses suture lines and is a caput (edema), it is normal. If it does not cross suture lines, it is a cephalohematoma with bleeding between the skull and periosteum. This could cause hyperbulirubinemia. This is an abnormal variation.
What symptoms are common to most newborns with Down syndrome?
Low-set ears, simian crease on palm, protruding tongue, Brushfield spots in iris, epicanthal folds
Identify three ways to determine the presence of congenital hip dislocation in the newborn.
Hip click determination, asymmetric gluteal folds, unequal limb lengths
Should the normal newborn have a positive or negative Babinski reflex?
Positive; the transient reflex is present until 12 to 18 months of age.
A small-for-gestational-age newborn is identified as one who ___.
Has a weight below the tenth percentile for estimated weeks of gestation
When suctioning the newborn with a bulb syringe, which should be suctioned first, the mouth or the nose?
The mouth; stimulating the nares can initiate inspiration, which could cause aspiration of mucus in the oral pharynx.
A new mother asks the nurse whether circumcision is medically indicated in the newborn. How should the nurse respond?
There is controversy concerning this issue, but we do know it causes pain and trauma to the newborn, and the medical indications (prevention of penile and cervical cancer) may be unfounded.
Normal blood glucose in the term neonate is ___.
40 to 80 mg/dL
