Mat-Child Objective 6 Immediate Care of the Newborn: Key Nursing Practices

Cardiorespiratory Function

Breathing begins after umbilical cord is cut.

Critical Period

First hour of life is most crucial.

Bulb Suctioning

Used to clear mucus from newborn's airways.

Respiratory Distress Signs

Includes retractions, grunting, and nasal flaring.

Thermoregulation

Neonates struggle to maintain stable body temperature.

Acrocyanosis

Bluish hands and feet due to circulation issues.

Heat Loss Prevention

Drying, skin-to-skin contact, and wrapping are essential.

Evaporation Heat Loss

Occurs when wet skin loses heat to air.

Conduction Heat Loss

Heat loss from direct contact with cooler surfaces.

Convection Heat Loss

Heat loss to cooler air currents around the body.

Radiation Heat Loss

Heat transfers to cooler objects not in contact.

APGAR Scoring

Evaluates newborn condition at 1 and 5 minutes.

APGAR Components

Includes appearance, pulse, grimacing, activity, respirations.

Identification Bands

Used to secure infant and parent identification.

Kangaroo Care

Skin-to-skin contact promotes bonding and stability.

Medication Administration Timing

Administered 1-2 hours after birth.

Erythromycin Eye Ointment

Prevents gonorrhea and chlamydia infections in newborns.

Vitamin K Injection

Essential for preventing bleeding disorders in infants.

Urinary Function Monitoring

Record first urination to confirm urinary tract openness.

Meconium

First stool, dark greenish-black, passed within 24 hours.

Transitional Stool

Changes from meconium to lighter color as feeding starts.

Temperature Requirement

Infant must be above 36.5°C before bathing.

Meconium

First stool passed by newborn, typically within 24 hours.

Transitional Stool

Stool changing from meconium to regular feces.

Breastfed Feed

Nutritional intake from breastfeeding newborns.

Bottle Feed

Nutritional intake from formula or bottle.

First Stool Timing

Should occur 8-24 hours post birth.

Infant Temperature

Must be above 36.5°C before bathing.

Bonding

Affectionate tie between parent and newborn.

Attachment

Emotional tie developing over time with caregivers.

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Promotes bonding and prevents hypothermia.

Breastfeeding Promotion

Encouraged within the first hour post-birth.

Newborn Assessment

Includes vitals, weight, and gestational age evaluation.

Respiration Rate

Normal range is 30-60 breaths per minute.

Pulse Rate

Normal range is 110-160 beats per minute.

Temperature Reporting

Report if below 36.5°C or above 37.5°C.

Blood Pressure in Newborns

Average is 80/46 mm Hg, varies with cuff size.

Newborn Weight

Average weight is 6-9 lbs (2.72-4.09 kg).

Weight Loss Post-Birth

Newborn loses 7-10% in first 3-4 days.

Weight Regain

Should regain birth weight by 10-12 days.

Gestational Age Evaluation

Includes skin, vernix, hair, ears, breast tissue.

Reflexes

Involuntary responses observed in newborns.

Moro Reflex

Startle reflex causing arms to spread and retract.

Palmar Grasp Reflex

Flexion of hands when base of fingers touched.

Rooting Response

Newborn turns head when lips are touched.

Sucking Reflex

Occurs when newborn's lips are stimulated.

Palmar Grasp Reflex

Flexion of hands when fingers touched.

Tonic Neck Reflex

Infant extends arm and leg on head's side.

Caput Succedaneum

Swelling of the head from birth trauma.

Cephalohematoma

Blood accumulation between skull and periosteum.

Sutures

Fibrous joints between skull bones.

Fontanelles

Soft spots on an infant's skull.

Lanugo

Fine hair covering preterm infants' skin.

Vernix Caseosa

Cheese-like substance protecting infant's skin.

Milia

White papules from blocked sebaceous glands.

Epstein's Pearls

Lesions on hard palate midline.

Hyperbilirubinemia

Excess bilirubin causing yellow skin in infants.

Transcutaneous Bilirubin Measurement

Non-invasive method to assess bilirubin levels.

Phototherapy

Light treatment for high bilirubin levels.

Newborn Stomach Capacity

30 mL on day one after birth.

Peristalsis in Newborns

Rapid digestive movement in infants.

Vitamin D Supplement

Daily vitamin D for breastfed infants.

Hypoglycemia in Infants

Low blood sugar, risk in certain infants.

Glucometer Reading

Blood glucose check 1-2 hours post-birth.

Signs of Hypoglycemia

Jitteriness, poor tone, sweating, lethargy.

Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening

Assessment for heart defects in newborns.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Risk minimized by safe sleep practices.

Safe Sleep Practices

Infants sleep on backs in flat cribs.

Swaddling Guidelines

Wrap infants with arms free, below shoulders.