Newborn Assessment Practice Flashcards

A set of 60 vocabulary flashcards covering newborn transition, APGAR scoring, physical assessment findings, reflexes, and neonatal medications based on lecture notes.

Skin-to-skin (STS)

The placement of the normal newborn on the maternal chest immediately following birth.

Evaporative heat loss

A type of heat loss prevented by drying and stimulating the newborn on the mother's chest.

APGAR Score

The first newborn assessment parameter or score used to evaluate transition to extrauterine life.

Respiratory effort (APGAR Score $2$)

A vigorous cry without stimulation.

Heart rate (APGAR Score $2$)

A heart rate greater than $100$ beats per minute.

Tone (APGAR Score $0$)

A limp or flaccid appearance, described as a "wet noodle."

Reflex irritability (APGAR Score $2$)

Characterized by a Moro (startle), gag, or sneeze in response to stimulation.

Color (APGAR Score $1$)

The trunk is pink, while blue color is restricted to the hands and feet.

Acrocyanosis

A slightly cyanotic appearance of the hands and feet; normal in the first $48$ hours.

Vitamin K (Phytonadione)

A medication administered via IM injection in the thigh to provide factors for blood clotting.

Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment

An ointment applied in a $0.5-1.0\,cm$ ribbon across the eye to prevent bacterial infections like chlamydia.

Head circumference measurement

Assessment taken by placing the tape over the brows and above the ears.

Small for Gestational Age (SGA)

A weight classification below the $10^{th}$ percentile.

Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA)

A weight classification between the $10^{th}$ and $90^{th}$ percentile.

Large for Gestational Age (LGA)

A weight classification above the $90^{th}$ percentile.

Macrosomia

A birth weight greater than $4000\,grams$ ($8$-$14$).

Normal Newborn Temperature

Vital sign range of $97.5-98.6$ degrees.

Normal Newborn Respiratory Rate

Vital sign range of $30-60$ breaths per minute.

Normal Newborn Heart Rate

Vital sign range of $110-160$ beats per minute.

Root / Suck reflex

Elicited by touching the lip, cheek, or mouth; infant turns head toward stimulus and opens mouth.

Palmar Grasp reflex

Elicited by placing a finger in the palm; infant's fingers curl around the finger.

Plantar Grasp reflex

Elicited by placing a finger at the base of the toes; toes curl downward.

Moro (startle) reflex

Symmetric extension and abduction of limbs where thumb and forefinger form a "C" when the infant is allowed to fall backward.

Tonic Neck reflex

With the infant supine, the neck is turned and the arm and leg on that side extend.

Babinski reflex

Stroking upward on the lateral aspect of the sole then across the ball of the foot.

Trunk incurvation reflex

Running a finger down the back lateral to the spine causes the trunk to flex toward the stimulated side.

Step reflex

Holding the infant vertically allows them to simulate walking by alternating flexion and extension of the feet.

Cephalocaudal growth

A head-to-toe growth pattern where the head is $\frac{1}{4}$ of the total body length.

Molding

Distortion of cranial size and shape to facilitate movement through the birth canal during labor.

Caput succedaneum

Edema resulting from birth that DOES cross suture lines.

Cephalohematoma

Bleeding or edema under the periosteum that does NOT cross suture lines.

Nasal flaring

A sign of respiratory distress where the nares widen during breathing.

Retractions

The pulling in of tissues (intercostal, subcostal, suprasternal) during inspiration; a sign of distress.

Grunting

An audible sign of respiratory distress in a newborn.

Seesaw (paradoxical) respirations

Abnormal breathing movement considered a sign of respiratory distress.

Vernix caseosa

A cheese-like, whitish substance covering the skin that serves as a protective layer.

Lanugo

Fine hair that may be present on the newborn's face, shoulders, and back.

Desquamation

Peeling of the skin, which can be seen in post-term newborns.

Milia

Small white sebaceous glands observed as a common integumentary variation.

Erythema toxicum

A common newborn rash observed as a skin variation.

Dermal Melanocytosis

Pigmented skin variation formerly known as Mongolian spots.

Nevus flammeus

Commonly known as a "port wine stain," this variation does not spontaneously resolve.

Nevus Simplex

Commonly known as a "stork bite," this variation resolves on its own.

Hydrocele

An accumulation of fluid around the testes that usually resolves without treatment.

Persistent Tachycardia

A heart rate consistently above $160\,beats/min$.

Persistent Bradycardia

A heart rate consistently below $100\,beats/min$.

Scaphoid abdomen

A sunken or hollowed appearance of the abdomen, noted as abnormal.

Hugs tag (baby "Lojack")

A security device that triggers a hospital-wide lockdown if the infant is taken beyond the unit.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

A series of $3$ vaccines given at birth, $1\,month$, and $6\,months$.

IUGR / FGR

Intrauterine growth restriction or fetal growth restriction.

Chest circumference measurement

Assessment taken across the nipple line.

Fontanels

Soft spots on the head that should be flat, not bulging or sunken.

Suture lines

Unfused spaces between cranial bones that allow for rapid brain growth.

Crepitus

A finding assessed in the clavicles that may indicate a fracture from birth.

Preterm Step Reflex

Characterized by the infant walking on their toes.

Term Step Reflex

Characterized by the infant walking on the soles of their feet.

Asymmetric Moro response

A finding that may suspect a brachial plexus injury or neurologic injury.

Establish respirations

The most important task for the newborn immediately following birth.

First Void

A genitourinary milestone that should occur within $24\,hours$ of birth.

Vitamin K Synthesis

A process naturally performed by gut bacteria; newborns require $10-14\,days$ to begin this.