Newborn and Pediatric Nursing Exam Review

Vocabulary-style study flashcards for newborn care, thermoregulation, vital signs, physical assessment, developmental milestones, primitive reflexes, toxins, and pediatric conditions based on lecture notes.

Evaporation (Heat Loss)

Heat lost when moisture turns to vapor; prevented by drying the newborn immediately and removing wet linens.

Conduction (Heat Loss)

Heat lost to a colder surface touching the baby; prevented by placing warm blankets/scales and avoiding cold surfaces.

Convection (Heat Loss)

Heat lost to cooler surrounding air; prevented by avoiding drafts and keeping the baby covered.

Radiation (Heat Loss)

Heat lost to a nearby cold object without direct contact; prevented by keeping cribs away from cold windows or walls.

Cold Stress

A condition where a cold newborn activates brown fat metabolism and consumes glucose and oxygen rapidly to produce heat, which can cause hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, and metabolic acidosis.

Axillary Temperature (Newborn)

Expected normal range of $97.7\text{--}99.5^\text{o}\text{F}$ ($36.5\text{--}37.5^\text{o}\text{C}$) in a newborn.

Apical Heart Rate (Newborn)

Expected normal rate of $110\text{--}160/\text{min}$ in a newborn.

Respirations (Newborn)

Expected normal rate of $30\text{--}60/\text{min}$, which can include periodic breathing with brief pauses up to $\thicksim 20\text{ sec}$.

Bulb Syringe Suctioning Sequence

Technique where the bulb is compressed before placing in the baby's mouth/nose, suctioning the mouth first then the nose ("M before N").

Anterior Fontanelle

Diamond-shaped soft spot located at the front/top of the head that expectedly closes around $\thicksim 12\text{--}18\text{ months}$.

Posterior Fontanelle

Triangle-shaped soft spot located at the back of the head that expectedly closes around $\thicksim 2\text{--}3\text{ months}$.

Sunken Fontanelle

An assessment finding in an infant indicative of dehydration.

Bulging Fontanelle

An assessment finding in a calm and upright infant indicative of increased intracranial pressure.

Caput Succedaneum

Scalp edema/swelling present at birth that CROSSES suture lines and resolves relatively quickly with minimal complications.

Cephalohematoma

Blood collection between the skull bone and periosteum that does NOT cross suture lines, may appear hours after birth, takes weeks to resolve, and increases jaundice risk.

Plastibell Circumcision

Circumcision method where a plastic ring remains after the procedure and usually falls off on its own in $\thicksim 5\text{--}10\text{ days}$; petroleum jelly is usually avoided.

ABCs of Safe Sleep

Prevention guidelines for SUID: Alone (no pillows, blankets, or toys), Back (supine position for every sleep), Crib (firm, flat surface with fitted sheet).

Vitamin K (phytonadione)

Medication given IM in the vastus lateralis to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding due to low newborn clotting factors.

Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment

Medication applied as a thin ribbon into each lower conjunctival sac to prevent gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.

Preterm Infant Characteristics

Physical manifestations including thin translucent skin, visible veins, abundant lanugo, few plantar creases, soft ear cartilage, weak flexion, immature genitalia, and weak suck.

Post-term Infant Characteristics

Physical manifestations including dry cracked peeling skin, little vernix/lanugo, long nails, abundant plantar creases, thin body with decreased subcutaneous fat, and potential meconium staining.

Rooting Reflex

Primitive reflex elicited by stroking the cheek, causing the infant to turn toward the stimulus and open mouth; disappears around $\thicksim 3\text{--}4\text{ months}$.

Sucking Reflex

Primitive reflex elicited by touching a nipple or finger to mouth, causing the infant to suck; becomes voluntary around $\thicksim 4\text{ months}$.

Moro Reflex

Primitive reflex elicited by sudden movement/startle causing arms to extend/abduct then flex inward; disappears around $\thicksim 4\text{--}6\text{ months}$.

Babinski Reflex

Primitive reflex elicited by stroking the lateral sole causing toes to fan and the great toe to dorsiflex; normally present in infancy and fades by $\thicksim 1\text{--}2\text{ years}$.

Physiological Jaundice

Common newborn transition hyperbilirubinemia appearing AFTER the first $24\text{ hours}$ of life and peaking around days $3\text{--}5$ in term infants.

Pathological Jaundice

Abnormal jaundice appearing in the FIRST $24\text{ hours}$ of life that requires prompt evaluation; may result from hemolysis, infection, or other disease.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Antidote

N-acetylcysteine (NAC), administered for toxicity to prevent or manage hepatic injury.

Aspirin / Salicylate Toxicity

Poisoning causing nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, sweating, tachypnea, acid-base disturbances, and altered mental status.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

Condition in premature infants caused by inadequate surfactant, manifested by tachypnea ($>60/\text{min}$), nasal flaring, expiratory grunting, retractions, and cyanosis.

Adams Forward Bend Test

Screening test for scoliosis where the patient bends forward to reveal rib hump or asymmetry.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Group of permanent motor and posture disorders caused by nonprogressive disturbance in the developing brain, manifested by spasticity, delayed motor milestones, and persistent primitive reflexes.

Physical Neglect

Failure to provide basic physical needs including food, shelter, hygiene, supervision, or needed medical care.

Emotional Neglect

Failure to provide adequate affection, attention, or emotional support.

Fluid Volume Conversions

Standard fluid conversion values: $1\text{ oz} = 30\text{ mL}$ and $8\text{ oz} = 1\text{ cup} = 240\text{ mL}$.