Respiratory Support
This non-invasive respiratory support delivers continuous distending pressure throughout the respiratory cycle.
What is CPAP?
The minimum gestational age many NICUs use to begin assessing oral feeding readiness.
What is approximately 32 weeks corrected gestation?
The normal neonatal axillary temperature range.
What is 36.5–37.5°C (97.7–99.5°F)?
The most common sign of neonatal sepsis.
What is temperature instability?
This intervention promotes physiologic stability and parent bonding.
What is skin-to-skin care (kangaroo care)?
A common early sign of respiratory distress in a premature infant.
What is tachypnea?
Three signs of feeding readiness.
What are rooting, hands to mouth, and alert state?
Premature infants are at increased risk for heat loss because of this body characteristic.
What is a high surface-area-to-body-weight ratio?
A late preterm infant develops apnea, bradycardia, and feeding intolerance. This diagnosis should be considered.
What is sepsis?
A developmental positioning goal for premature infants.
What is flexion and midline positioning?
This blood gas value primarily reflects ventilation.
What is PaCO₂?
This feeding method allows infants to guide progression based on cues rather than volume completion.
What is Infant Driven Feeding (IDF)?
Heat loss that occurs when an infant is near a cold window.
What is radiation?
This laboratory value often increases during bacterial infection.
What is CRP (C-reactive protein)?
Excessive light, noise, and handling can cause this physiologic response.
What is stress/disorganization?
The target pre-ductal oxygen saturation at 5 minutes of life according to NRP.
What is 80–85%?
An infant who demonstrates increased respiratory effort, finger splaying, and loss of tone during feeding is showing this.
What is stress cues/fatigue?
This incubator mode automatically adjusts heat output based on the infant's skin temperature.
What is servo control?
The gold standard test for confirming bloodstream infection.
What is a blood culture?
This screening tool is commonly used to assess neonatal pain.
What is NIPS (or PIPP depending on unit practice)?
An infant on CPAP develops sudden increased work of breathing and asymmetric chest movement. This complication should be suspected.
What is pneumothorax?
The primary physiologic skill that must mature for successful oral feeding.
What is coordination of suck-swallow-breathe?
Hypothermia increases oxygen consumption and can contribute to this metabolic condition.
What is hypoglycemia?
Two common pathogens causing early-onset neonatal sepsis.
What are Group B Streptococcus and E. coli?
A sudden increase in apnea, bradycardia, hypotonia, and lethargy may indicate this serious neurologic concern.
What is intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)?