Help with newborn assessment please

[69steel]

What would be the 4 most important assessments to do on a newborn straight after the birth to determine wellbeing of baby? Thanks!

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

What would be the 4 most important assessments to do on a newborn straight after the birth to determine wellbeing of baby? Thanks!

This sounds a little bit like a homework question. When you meet a patient for the first time, as you would with a newborn, what four things do you check first? Remember, you are looking for whether or not your brand-new patient is stable…

Think upon that for a bit, then post what you think.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Have you been present at a delivery yet? What do they check immediately after delivery? What does that number that they give to all newborns at birth and at 5 minutes mean?

[69steel]

I know about the apgar score etc but am wondering if that was in the exam, would you put 4 out of the 5 things of apgar score or put apgar score as 1 and add 3 more like general appearance, temperature and measurements?

[1busymaniam]

69steel,

Ok the one minute apgar then five minute apgar are very necessary. In those few minutes between apgars you can you can assess for retractions/use of accessory muscles in respiration. Is the trachea midline. What are the newborn's oxygen sats? Would Narcan be appropriate? What about a blood glucose level? I am sure the temp is dropping mildly but it will rebound upward. I have recesitated/stabilized maybe 7-8 newborns then go back and calculate the one minute and five minute apgar later. Measurements, footprints and armband can be done later.

Hope this answers your ?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

As you assess any patient....what do you look at? We are happy to help be we won't do it for you. We need your input to know how best to guide you.