Nursing Care of the Family With a Newborn – Key Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering vital newborn characteristics, reflexes, common conditions, assessments, and nursing care concepts outlined in the lecture notes.

Apgar Score

A 0–10 scoring system assessing newborn appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.

Anthropometric Measurements

Quantifiable newborn data—weight, length, head circumference—used to monitor growth and detect health concerns.

Ballard Assessment of Gestational Age

Tool that estimates gestational age by neuromuscular and physical criteria; used for infants small, large, or uncertain for dates.

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale

Six-category scale (habituation, orientation, motor maturity, variation, self-quieting, social) measuring a newborn’s behavioral responses.

Acrocyanosis

Peripheral cyanosis of lips, hands, feet in the first days of life due to immature circulation; benign and transient.

Central Cyanosis

Blue discoloration of trunk or mucosa indicating inadequate oxygenation; always requires immediate evaluation.

Harlequin Sign

Transient color split where the dependent newborn side is red and the upper side pale; clinically insignificant.

Hyperbilirubinemia

Excess serum bilirubin causing jaundice, usually on days 2–3; may progress to kernicterus if severe.

Physiologic Jaundice

Normal newborn yellowing from breakdown of fetal RBCs, appearing after the first 24 hours.

Kernicterus

Irreversible brain damage from bilirubin >≈20 mg/dL crossing the blood–brain barrier.

Phototherapy

Treatment using light to convert indirect bilirubin to water-soluble form for excretion.

Vitamin K

Fat-soluble vitamin lacking in sterile newborn gut; injection prevents delayed clotting.

Prothrombin (Factor II)

Clotting factor synthesized with vitamin K; low at birth, increasing after gut colonization.

Factor VII (Proconvertin)

Vitamin K–dependent clotting factor immature in newborns, predisposing to bleeding.

Factor IX (Plasma Thromboplastin)

Vitamin K–dependent clotting factor; deficiency contributes to neonatal bleeding risk.

Factor X (Stuart-Power Factor)

Vitamin K–dependent clotting factor crucial for coagulation; low immediately after birth.

Meconium

First sticky, tar-like, green-black stool composed of mucus, lanugo, and swallowed substances.

Transitional Stool

Loose greenish stool passed days 2–3 as milk intake begins.

Vernix Caseosa

Cheesy, white skin coating that lubricates and protects fetal skin in utero.

Lanugo

Fine downy hair on shoulders, back, arms of term babies; scant in post-term infants.

Desquamation

Peeling of palms and soles within 24–48 hours as newborn skin dries.

Milia

Pinpoint white papules from plugged sebaceous glands on nose or cheeks; resolve spontaneously.

Erythema Toxicum

Benign “flea-bite” rash of papules becoming erythematous on day 2, disappearing by day 3.

Fontanelle

Soft membranous gap between cranial bones; anterior closes 12–18 months, posterior by 2 months.

Molding

Temporary shaping of the head from birth canal pressure, resolving in a few days.

Craniotabes

Localized cranial bone softening from in-utero pelvic pressure; normal in newborns, pathologic later.

Caput Succedaneum

Diffuse scalp edema crossing suture lines caused by birth pressure.

Cephalohematoma

Sub-periosteal skull bone hematoma that does not cross sutures; due to birth trauma.

Pectus Excavatum

Congenital depressed sternum in some newborns; “funnel chest.”

Pectus Carinatum

Protruding sternum; “pigeon chest.”

Cryptorchidism

Undescended testis; usually descends by 3–6 months.

Pseudomenstruation

Blood-tinged vaginal mucus in female newborns from maternal hormones; resolves in days.

Clitoromegaly

Enlarged clitoris often linked to excess fetal androgens or congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Achondroplasia

Genetic dwarfism indicated by unusually short limbs requiring evaluation.

Simian Crease

Single transverse palmar crease; may be normal or associated with Down syndrome.

Hemangioma

Vascular skin tumor; includes nevus flammeus, strawberry, or cavernous types.

Mongolian Spots

Slate-gray sacral or buttock patches of melanocytes common in Asian/African infants; fade over years.

Acrocyanosis vs Central Cyanosis

Peripheral cyanosis is benign; central cyanosis indicates serious oxygenation problem.

Silverman–Andersen Index

Scoring system grading neonatal respiratory distress by chest and nasal movements.

Palmar Grasp Reflex

Newborn grasps object placed in palm; disappears by 3–4 months.

Plantar Grasp Reflex

Toe flexion when sole is touched; fades 8–9 months.

Rooting Reflex

Head turns toward cheek stroke, aiding feeding; vanishes about 6 weeks.

Sucking Reflex

Rhythmic sucking when lips touched; strong until 6 months.

Swallowing Reflex

Automatic swallow when food reaches posterior tongue.

Extrusion Reflex

Tongue thrusts outward to expel substance on anterior tongue.

Moro Reflex

Startle response with limb extension and embrace motion when startled; fades by 6 months.

Tonic Neck Reflex

“Fencer” position: limbs extend on head-turned side; disappears by 4–6 months.

Babinski Reflex

Toe fanning when sole stroked upward; normal to 1 year.

Step-in-Place (Stepping) Reflex

Alternating steps when feet touch surface; gone by 3 months.

Placing Reflex

Leg lifts to step when anterior shin contacts surface.

Crossed Extension Reflex

Opposite leg extends when one leg irritated while supine.

Trunk Incurvation (Galant) Reflex

Pelvis swings toward side stroked along spine while prone.

Landau Reflex

Prone suspension produces some head/leg extension; absence suggests hypotonia.

Deep Tendon Reflex

Intact neonatal patellar and biceps responses indicating neurologic health.

Pectus Excavatum

Sunken sternum chest deformity present at birth.

Pectus Carinatum

Outward-projecting sternum deformity.

Linoleic Acid

Essential fatty acid in human milk vital for infant brain growth and skin integrity.

Lactose

Primary carbohydrate in breast milk and formula; aids calcium absorption and promotes beneficial gut flora.

Colostrum

First breast secretion rich in antibodies and protein produced for initial postpartum days.

Solute Load

Concentration of urea/electrolytes in milk; high in cow’s milk, stressing newborn kidneys.

Fluoride Supplementation

0.25 mg/day oral fluoride starting at 6 months if water source unfluoridated.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Unexplained infant death; risk reduced by back-sleeping, firm surface, breastfeeding, and smoke avoidance.

Rooming-In

Practice of keeping parents and newborn together 24 hours/day to enhance bonding and breastfeeding.

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Immediate chest placement of newborn to regulate temperature and promote breastfeeding initiation.

Diaper Dermatitis

Irritant diaper rash preventable by frequent changes and cleansing with water.

Transitional Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Temporary low blood glucose (<40 mg/dL) in first 48 hours, usually resolving spontaneously.

Heel-Stick Test

Capillary blood sampling for hematocrit, hemoglobin, glucose, and screening tests.

Immunologic Immaturity

Newborn inability to produce antibodies until ≈2 months, necessitating timely immunizations.

Pallor

Unusually pale skin often indicating neonatal anemia or blood loss.

Hemoglobin (Newborn)

Average 14–20 g/dL, higher than adult levels due to increased fetal RBCs.

Hematocrit (Newborn)

Normal 45%–60%; deviations suggest hypo- or hypervolemia.

Respiratory Distress (Grunting)

Abnormal expiratory sound signaling possible respiratory syndrome.

Cryptorchidism

Undescended testicle common at birth, expected to descend by 6 months.

Pseudomenstruation

Benign blood-tinged vaginal discharge in newborn females from maternal hormones.

Achondroplasia

Genetic disorder causing shortened limbs; suspected with markedly short arms/legs.

Simian Crease

Single palmar crease, common in Down syndrome but can be normal variant.

Neonatal Hypothermia

Low body temperature prevented by drying, warm environment, and skin-to-skin care.