Will I have to stick Babies???

helpinghands, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2004

Last semester during my OB rotation I did a heel stick on an infant. It wasn't the highlight of my nursery rotation, but it wasn't horrible either. What I found more difficult was the rectal temp checks. Poor little ones, their first few hours of life and they're being poked and proded from every direction. I also have to add that the nursery so far has been my favorite clincal experience. I LOVED going to clinicals during that time and hated to leave!

prmenrs, RN · Jul 15, 2004

PKUs and vit K are a necessary fact of life for newborns. Vit K prevents hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, and PKU testing screens babies for many diseases besides PKU so that their diet can be adjusted, or medication given to prevent retardation, e.g., Synthroid for congenital hypothyroidism. If you understand WHY you are doing something, it is easier to do it. You will have opportunities to watch your instructor do the procedure before you have to do it.

With the possible exception of the initial temp to check for patent orifice, you should only be doing axillary temps on newborns. If the baby stools before you get the first temp, you don't need one--it's patent. Rectal temps are dangerous.

Todd SPN · Jul 15, 2004

Yes. And I hate to make a baby cry. Wish I had some advice for you.

Achoo!, LPN · Jul 15, 2004

heel sticks aren't bad. I'd hate tp put an IV line in though.

Kudra · Jul 15, 2004

we weren't allowed to do sticks on the infants we worked with... our school and the hospital felt it was beyond our scope as students...

hijack: we only ever did axilla temps as well because of the risk of perforating the bowel... and the fact that it's unnecessary...

beth

Energizer Bunny · Jul 15, 2004

I used to think that being a mom would make it harder for me to do things such as this.

Now, I think that being a mom has prepared me. I cannot tell you how many pokes and prods my kids have had (many that I administered myself).

I guess we'll see when the time comes for me!

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Jul 15, 2004

It's not too bad. My rotation is in a pediatric unit right now and I've actually had to do several rectal temps. I've actually been taught by my school and this unit that it's more accurate. If you do it right the baby doesn't even seem to mind it. I also had to do a rectal on an adult a few weeks ago. He wasn't too happy about it but I was told to do it - he lived.

I HAVE read several places though, that it's not necessary to do rectal temps, though, but basically I'm just doing what I'm told and I'm trained in doing it, and again, baby doesn't mind it. Babys seem to dislike bp's more than rectal temps in my experience - and also what I've been taught.

sandylpn04 · Jul 16, 2004

I'm in my OB rotation right now and we don't have to do PKU's on the baby, the lab comes and does that part. I did however get to give a HepB vaccine, it wasn't that bad. I didn't like having to give an infant an injection but someone has to do it and I felt confident from the training I've had so far. We also give the Vit K and do the antibiotic to the eyes if we're in L&D at the time. I got to observe a C-section this morning and it was very interesting to see. I'm enjoying my rotation through OB, next Tues. is our last day there and I'm going to be sad to have to leave. The babies are wonderful and it's so much different than a Med Surge floor. Good luck to you.

Sandy