Cardiac Assessment of Newborns

Flashcards summarizing key terms and definitions related to cardiac and respiratory assessments of newborns.

Foramen Ovale

A fetal shunt that allows blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the lungs.

Ductus Arteriosus

A fetal vessel that shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta, bypassing the lungs.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

A condition where the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth, leading to a persistent murmur and potential heart failure.

Acrocyanosis

A condition in newborns characterized by blue extremities with a pink torso, often seen in normal infants.

Transient Tachypnea

Temporary respiratory distress in newborns, often characterized by mild respiratory acceleration and usually resolving within 24 hours.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

A more severe condition in premature infants with labored breathing and requires medical intervention.

Tocolytics

Medications used to decrease uterine contractions in preterm labor.

Apgar Score

A scoring system used to assess the health of newborns at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, evaluating appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiratory effort.

Hemophilia

A sex-linked recessive condition that impairs the blood's ability to clot.

Eclampsia

A severe complication of pregnancy characterized by seizures and high blood pressure, often requiring antihypertensive treatment.

Thalidomide

A drug known for causing severe birth defects when taken during pregnancy; originally marketed as a treatment for nausea.