newborn assessment Essay

Submitted By qkrdbrod
Words: 3228
Pages: 13
Open Document
Vital Signs and Measurements
Temperature - Range 36.5 to 37 axillary
Common variations:
Crying may elevate temperature
Stabilizes in 8 to 10 hours after delivery
Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings:
Temperature is not reliable indicator of infection
A temperature less than 36.5
Heart rate - Range 120 to 160 beats per minute
Common variations:
Heart rate range to 100 when sleeping to 180 when crying
Color pink with acrocyanosis
Heart rate may be irregular with crying
Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings:
Although murmurs may be due to transitional circulation-all murmurs should be followed-up and referred for medical evaluation
Deviation from range
Faint sound
Respiration - Range 30 to 60 breaths per minute
Common variations:
Bilateral bronchial breath sounds
Moist breath sounds may be present shortly after birth
Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings:
Asymmetrical chest movements
Apnea >15 seconds
Diminished breath sounds
Seesaw respirations
Grunting
Nasal flaring
Retractions
Deep sighing
Tachypnea - respirations > 60
Persistent irregular breathing
Excessive mucus
Persistant fine crackles
Stridor (Crowing respiratory sound)
Blood Pressure - not done routinely
Factors to consider:
Varies with change in activity level
Appropriate cuff size important for accurate reading
Average newborn (1 to 3 days) oscillometry pressure value: 65/41 in both upper and lower extremities
Sign of potential distress or deviations from expected findings:
Calf systolic pressure 6 to 9 mm Hg less than systolic pressure in upper extremities may be indicative of coarctation of the aorta
General Measurements
Head Circumference - 33 to 35 cm
Expected findings:
Head should be 2 to 3 cms larger than the chest
Chest circumference - 30.5 to 33 cm
Common variations:
Molding* of head may result in a lower head circumference measurement
Head and chest circumference may be equal for the first 24 to 48 hours of life
*Molding refers to the process by which the neonates head is shaped during labor as it passes through the birth canal. The head may become elongated due to the overlapping of the cranial bones at the suture lines.
Weight range - 2500 - 4000 gms (5 lbs. 8oz. - 8 lbs. 13 oz.)
Length range - 48 to 53 cms (19 - 21 inches)

Skin
Expected Findings:

Skin reddish in color, smooth and puffy at birth
At 24 - 36 hours of age, skin flaky, dry and pink in color
Edema around eyes, feet, and genitals
Turgor good with quick recoil
Cord with one vein and two arteries
Cord clamp tight and cord drying

Photo used with permission*
Hair silky and soft with individual strands
Nipples present and in expected locations
Nails to end of fingers and often extend slightly beyond
Vernix caseosa - The white, cheesy substance covering the newborn's body. Often present only in the skin folds.
Lanugo - Fine downy body hair usually distributed over shoulders, sacral area, and back of newborns. Usually disappears before birth or shortly after birth.
Common variations:

ACROCYANOSIS
The result of sluggish peripheral circulation.

Photo used with permission*
MONGOLIAN SPOTS
Patch of purple-black or blue-black color distributed over coccygeal and sacral regions of infants of African-American or Asian descent. Not malignant. Resolves in time.

Photo used with permission*
MOTTLING
Generalized red and white discoloration of skin of chilled infants with fair complexion.

Photo used with permission*
PHYSIOLOGICJAUNDICE
Hyperbilirubinemia not associated with hemolytic disease or other pathology in the newborn. Jaundice that appears in full term newborns 24 hours after birth and peaks at 72 hours. Bilirubin may reach 6 to 10 mg/dl and resolve in 5 to 7 days.

Photo used with permission*
MILIA
Tiny white papules (plugged sebaceous glands) located over nose, cheek, and chin.

Photo used with
Show More

Related Documents: newborn assessment Essay

Newborn Assessment Essay

parents need for time-out, time for self care and support. I handed out information about activities to do with a newborn, for example reading or singing to them, describing what’s around them, repeating the babies sounds etc. (Dosman & Andrews, 2012). I reassured them again how healthy Sam looks and that they are doing a great job looking after him. I told them that the next assessment is due at about 6 - 8 weeks of age and the first immunisations are due at that point as well. If they have any questions…

Words 465 - Pages 2

Preterm Infants Behavior Paper

The Assessment of Preterm Infants' Behavior (APIB) - This assessment focuses on the developing behavioral organization in response to increasing sensory and environmental stimuli (Fleming-Castaldy, 2014) The APIB is based in ethological evolutionary thought and focuses on the assessment of mutually interacting behavioral subsystems in simultaneous interaction with the environment. The factors of functioning assessed include the autonomic, which include respiration, digestion, color. Also accessed…

Words 550 - Pages 3

Pulse and Unexpected Finding Essay

Introductory Questions a) In the immediate care of the newborn, it's crucial to assess and maintain adequate airway clearance as well as prevent heat loss by keeping the baby warm and dry. The Apgar score and a brief physical assessment are performed right away in order to find or rule out abnormalities. b) It is important to prevent hypothermia in newborns because it can cause cold stress, which is excessive heat loss. The cold-stressed newborn tries to regulate its core body temperature by increasing…

Words 2564 - Pages 11

Sci/275 Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment Brittney Scarborough SCI/ 275 January 16, 2015 University of Phoenix Risk Assessment Environmental hormones alter many of the hormone systems found in the human body. Hormones are chemicals produced by the body that flow in the blood stream, regulating body functions and maintaining homeostasis. Certain pollutants, mainly phthalates and dioxins can change the body’s hormones. This creates abnormal hormonal balance; which can cause cancer and other health issues. Dioxins are a group…

Words 481 - Pages 2

Clinical Experience Reflection

holding and interacting with infants as I had very little experience interacting with newborns prior to my clinical experience in the nursery. During my clinical experience I felt alert, excited, and curious. I immediately felt extremely eager to learn more about my patient and practice my assessment skills. I was both surprised and impressed with how I was able to remain calm while performing the newborn assessment and administering the vaccination. I was also happy that I was able to be both confident…

Words 205 - Pages 1

Clinical Report Essay

|3.6 | | |Competencies | |I washed my hands and used clean gloves to assess the newborn | |Performs techniques according to stated guidelines and institutional policy.| |I inserted Foley catheter with appropriate aseptic technique. | |Demonstrates appropriate use of medical and surgical asepsis…

Words 1717 - Pages 7

Comprehensive-Head To Toe Assessment

and apply it to my clinical practice in a family centered way. Since most of the information that I am learning is completely new to me, as the newborns body greatly differs from that of an adult, I plan to put forth a great deal of effort in becoming competent in this particular field of practice. I plan to perform comprehensive head to toe assessments and with the results, accurately interpret the findings. Furthermore, my goal is to research and understand the pathophysiology to the best of my…

Words 300 - Pages 2

Law and the Chid Essay

Isreal Hospital. Routine neonatal circumcision is still performed in most centers without the benefit of anesthesia. Newborns were frequently not given analgesic or anesthetic agents during invasive procedures, including surgery. The researcher concluded that the neuro chemical systems now known to be associated with pain transmission and modulation are intact and functioning in newborns. Moreover, although it is unclear that a neonate subjectively experiences pain in a manner similar to older children…

Words 6808 - Pages 28

Childbirth and Preterm Infant Essay

Chapter 28: newborn at risk: conditions present at birth Identification of newborn at risk • Risk factors: low socioeconomic level of the mother • Limited access to healthcare or prenatal care • Exposire to environment dangers such as toxic chemicals • Preexisiting maternal conditions: heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and renal disease • Maternal factors such as age and parity • Medical conditions related to pregnancy and their associated complications…

Words 4709 - Pages 19

Pregnancy And Conception Matetal Development: Assessment Of Maternal Health

Pregnancy / Conception Fetal Development * Assessment of Maternal Health * Preconception care Identify communicable diseases- immunization status, STI’s, CMV, 5th disease, TB Toxoplasmosis, Listeriosis Toxic exposures Lifestyle/fitness * Genetic risks family pedigree Menstrual Cycle Additional resource- http://www.biology.arizona.edu/human_bio/problem_sets/Human_Reproduction/05t.html * Menarche 9-16 years cycle length 21-36 phases – ovarian, endometrial…

Words 3456 - Pages 14