Newborn Nursing Care - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to newborn physiology, adaptation, assessment, and common nursing care from the video notes.

Apgar Score

A quick newborn assessment performed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth that scores five signs (heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, color) from 0 to 2 for each, yielding a total score from 0 to 10.

Apgar Heart Rate

Apgar component assessing heart rate: 0 = absent, 1 = slow below 100 bpm, 2 = above 100 bpm.

Apgar Respiratory Effort

Apgar component assessing breathing: 0 = absent, 1 = slow/irregular, 2 = good crying.

Apgar Muscle Tone

Apgar component assessing muscle tone: 0 = flaccid, 1 = some flexion of extremities, 2 = active motion.

Apgar Reflex Irritability

Apgar component assessing reflex response: 0 = none, 1 = grimace, 2 = vigorous cry.

Apgar Color

Apgar component assessing skin color: 0 = pale/blue, 1 = pink body with blue extremities, 2 = completely pink.

Fetal Lung Development (general)

Sequence of lung structure development and surfactant production during gestation that prepares the newborn for respiration after birth.

Alveolar Ducts

Airway structures that begin to appear around 20–24 weeks gestation as part of fetal lung development.

Primitive Alveoli

Early air sac units forming around 24–28 weeks gestation, precursors to mature alveoli.

Type I Pneumocytes

Alveolar cells specialized for gas exchange in the developing lungs.

Type II Pneumocytes

Alveolar cells that synthesize and secrete surfactant to reduce surface tension and stabilize alveoli.

Pulmonary Surfactant

Lipoprotein detergent-like substance (lipoproteins) that lowers surface tension, keeps alveoli expanded, and prevents collapse with exhalation.

Fetal Breathing Movements (FBMs)

Prenatal chest wall and diaphragmatic movements beginning as early as 11 weeks gestation, important for lung development and fluid regulation.

Initiation of Breathing

The process triggered at birth by mechanical, chemical, thermal, and sensory stimuli that leads to the first breath and lung inflation.

Chemoreceptors

Sensors that respond to changes in PO2, PCO2, and pH, sending signals to the respiratory center to initiate breathing.

Respiratory Center (Medulla)

Brainstem area that processes chemical and sensory signals to regulate breathing.

Foramen Ovale

The fetal opening between the right and left atria that normally closes functionally within 1–2 hours after birth and permanently within about 6 months.

Closure of Foramen Ovale

Functional closure occurs shortly after birth due to changes in atrial pressures; permanent closure typically by 6 months.

Ductus Arteriosus

A fetal vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the aorta that normally closes functionally within about 15 hours after birth and becomes a ligament by ~3 weeks.

Agenesis of Ductus Arteriosus Closure

If closure is delayed, the ductus arteriosus may remain open, affecting circulatory dynamics; usually closes with time and increased oxygen.

CCHD Screening

Critical Congenital Heart Disease screening using pulse oximetry of the right hand and one foot between 24–48 hours to detect hypoxemia indicative of heart defects.

Cephalhematoma

Collection of blood between the periosteum and the skull bone that does not cross suture lines; appears within the first couple of days.

Caput Succedaneum

Edema of the scalp present at birth that crosses suture lines and resolves gradually.

Molding

Overlapping of cranial bones during birth to facilitate passage through the birth canal.

Hematopoietic System (Newborn)

Newborn blood system with higher initial RBC counts and hemoglobin/hematocrit levels to carry oxygen after birth.

Rhesus/ABO Factors (Hemolysis Risk)

Blood group incompatibilities can lead to increased bilirubin production due to RBC destruction.

Hgb (Newborns)

Normal newborn hemoglobin range approximately 15–24 g/dL.

Hct (Newborns)

Normal newborn hematocrit range approximately 44%–70%.

WBC (Newborns)

Normal newborn white blood cell count roughly 10,000–34,000/mm3.

Glucose (Newborn)

Normal newborn glucose range approximately 40–90 mg/dL; <40 mg/dL warrants medical notification.

Meconium

Dark, tarry first stool usually passed within 8–24 hours after birth.

Transitional Stool

Stool that is brown to green and looser as the newborn transitions from meconium to milk stool.

Breastfed Stool

Yellow, soft, mushy stool typical of breastfed infants.

Formula Stool

Yellow to brown, formed, and semi-solid stool typical of formula-fed infants.

Uric Acid Crystals (Urine)

'Brick dust' pink stains in the diaper caused by uric acid crystals common in newborns.

Pseudomenstruation

Blood-tinged discharge in newborn girls due to maternal hormone withdrawal; a normal finding.

Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM)

Antibody classes involved in immunity; IgG crosses the placenta, IgA and IgM do not.

Passive Immunity

Transfer of maternal antibodies (primarily IgG) to the fetus, providing temporary protection after birth.

Active Immunity (Maternal Vaccination)

Antibodies generated in the mother during illness or immunization that can be transferred to the fetus; examples include Tdap and seasonal flu vaccination during pregnancy.

AquaMEPHYTON (Vitamin K) Prophylaxis

Intramuscular Vitamin K given soon after birth to prevent hemorrhage due to low vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.

Erythromycin Ointment (Eyes)

Prophylactic antibiotic ointment placed in the newborn's eyes to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum.

Tubes/Feeding (Nutrition)

Newborn caloric needs: breastfed 85–100 kcal/kg/day; formula-fed 100–110 kcal/kg/day; formula typically 20 kcal/oz.

Ballard Assessment

Gestational age assessment performed within ~12 hours after birth using 12 criteria (neuromuscular and physical maturity).

Newborn Vital Signs – Pulse

Typical resting heart rate 120–160 bpm; can be 100–180 bpm when crying.

Newborn Vital Signs – Respirations

Typical rate 30–60 breaths per minute (average ~40–49).

Fontanels

Anterior fontanel closes by ~18 months; posterior fontanel closes by ~2–4 months; assessed for size and tension.

Newborn Reflexes (Assessment Focus)

Neurologic reflexes and tone used to assess neurologic function and development in the newborn.

Skin Findings (Newborn)

Normal skin findings include acrocyanosis, mottling, erythema toxicum, milia, vernix, lanugo, birthmarks like stork bites, Mongolian spots, port-wine stain, and nevus vasculosus.

NIPS (Neonatal Pain Scale)

A pain assessment tool using facial expression, cry, breathing pattern, limb movements, and state of arousal to rate neonatal pain.

Phototherapy

Treatment for neonatal jaundice using blue spectrum light to convert unconjugated bilirubin to water-soluble forms for excretion.

Bilirubin (Indirect vs Direct)

Indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin is fat-soluble; direct (conjugated) bilirubin is water-soluble after hepatic conjugation.

Physiologic Jaundice

Jaundice that occurs after 24 hours of life due to normal bilirubin processing limits in many term and most preterm infants.

Pathologic Jaundice

Jaundice occurring before 24 hours of life or with abnormally high bilirubin levels requiring medical intervention.

Kernicterus

Bilirubin encephalopathy from bilirubin deposition in brain tissue, a potential severe complication if bilirubin is not managed.

Newborn Screen

A battery of newborn metabolic and genetic tests (heel-stick) performed after 24 hours of life to detect conditions early.

Nasal/Oral Suctioning Technique

Gentle suction with a bulb syringe; compress before insertion, apply softly to prevent mucosal injury.

Newborn National/Local Practices (HIP Dysplasia Screening)

Screening for congenital hip dysplasia using Ortolani and Barlow maneuvers to detect dislocation or instability.

Ortolani Maneuver

Physical exam technique to assess hip stability by abducting the hip and applying anterior pressure to detect dislocation.

Barlow Maneuver

Technique to test hip stability by adducting the hip and applying posterior pressure to assess potential dislocation.

Hip Dysplasia Risk/Prevention

Early detection and proper positioning to prevent dislocation and misalignment of the femoral head and acetabulum.

Jaundice Stages (Detection)

Assessment of bilirubin progression from head to feet, with peak levels typically in the first few days after birth.