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Newborns are one of the most curious and interesting humans you could ever encounter. They continue to become everyone’s joy wherever they go. As their healthcare provider, we are the ones who handled them primarily the moment they were delivered, so it is up to us to give the best primary care to these little angels before we hand them over to their parents. Assessment for Well-BeingAssessment of the newborn immediately starts the moment he or she is delivered, and there are a lot of standard assessments used to evaluate them rapidly. Apgar ScoringThe Apgar scoring is done during the first 1 minute and 5 minutes of life. The heart rate, respiratory rate, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color are evaluated in an infant. Apgar score is the baseline for all future observations.
Apgar scoring
Respiratory Evaluation
Physical Examination
Care of the Newborn at Birth
Care of the Newborn in the Postpartum Period
Practice Quiz: Care of the NewbornQuestions 1. What is the highest priority in the newborn assessment? A. Reflex irritabilityB. BreathingC. Skin color D. Muscle tone 2. A newborn has an Apgar score of 6. What would be the intervention? A. Nothing should be done; this is a normal score.B. The newborn should be placed under a radiant warmer.C. Newborn needs resuscitation. D. Newborn’s airway needs to be cleared. 3. Why is it important to assess the newborn’s height and weight? A. To check if the newborn is adapting well to extrauterine life.B. To check if the newborn has reached maturity.C. To establish baseline data. D. B and C 4. Why is newborn identification and registration essential? A. So the parents can immediately see the baby.B. To avoid switching of babies or kidnapping.C. So it could be recognized as a citizen of the state. D. To let the nurse identify the babies quickly. 5. When is an appropriate time to bathe the newborn? A. Immediately after birthB. After feeding the newbornC. Before feeding the newborn D. Upon discharge Answers and Rationale 1. Answer: B. Breathing
2. Answer: D. Newborn’s airway needs to be cleared.
3. Answer: D. B and C
4. Answer: B. To avoid switching of babies or kidnapping.
5. Answer: C. Before feeding the newborn
The care of the newborn starts at the hand of their healthcare providers and must be transitioned properly to their parents for continuity of care. An appropriate education for the parents and immediate family members regarding the dos and don’ts for newborn care should be included in the discharge plan so that when the newborn is already safe at home, there is a guarantee that they are well-cared for by their family members. |