Respiratory Problems/Temperature Regulation
Definition: Inadequate oxygenation at the cellular level in a newborn
Neonatal hypoxia
What glucose levels indicate hypoglycemia in a preterm infant.
30 mg /dL
True or False: Preterm infants are more prone to bleeding than full-term infants because their blood is deficient in prothrombin, a factor of the clotting mechanism
TRUE
True or False: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an acute inflammation of the bowel that leads to bowel necrosis.
True.
How much urine output should an infant have?
Between 1 and 3 mL/kg per hour
True or False: The preterm infant is susceptible to hypoglycemia
True
What glucose levels indicate Hypoglycemia in a full-term infant?
lower than 40 mg/dL
What type of diagnostic testing is used to help detect increased tendency to bleed?
ULTRASONOGRAPHY
Name two signs of necrotizing endocolitis.
Abdominal distention, bloody stools, diarrhea, bilious vomitus
How should the nurse determine the amount of urine output?
The nurse should weigh the dry diaper and subtract the weight from the infant's wet diaper.
True or False: All respiratory distress signs will be present right after birth.
False. They may not manifest for several hours after birth.
Signs of hypoglycemia in the preterm infant include the following (5):
Tremors
• Weak cry
• Lethargy
• Convulsions
• Plasma glucose level lower than 40 mg/dL (term) or 30 mg/dL (preterm)
The nurse caring for a preterm infant notices lethargy, poor feeding, and a bulging fontanelle. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Feed the infant to correct potential hypoglycemia
Reposition the infant to prone position
Report findings immediately as sign of possible intracranial hemorrhage
Apply warm compress to reduce swelling
C “Reporting finding immediately as signs of possible intracranial hemorrhage”
What are the treatment options for necrotizing endocolitis?
Treatment includes: antimicrobials and the use of parenteral nutrition to rest the bowels. Surgical removal of the necrosed bowel may be indicated.
Physiological jaundice is characterized by a yellow tinge of skin also called?
Icterus neonatorum
What is respiratory distress syndrome the result of?
Lung immaturity
What is the treatment for hypocalcemia?
IV Calcium Gluconate
A nurse is positioning a preterm infant with a known risk of intracranial hemorrhage. How should the infant be positioned?
SLIGHT FOWLER’S POSITION- A SLIGHT FOWLERS POSITION HELPS REDUCE INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE AND SUPPORTS SAFE VENTILATION.
What reflexes are immature in a preterm infant? (2)
Sucking and swallowing reflexes
Becomes evident between the second and the third days of life and lasts for about one week.
Physiological jaundice
What are five signs of cold stress in an infant?
1. Decreased skin temperature
2. Increased respiratory rate with periods of apnea
3. Bradycardia
4. Mottling of the skin
5. Lethargy
What should the nurse monitor for when administering IV Calcium Gluconate to the infant?
Heart rate. Report if bradycardia occurs
Preterm infants have poor ability to absorb fats and which vitamins?
Fat soluble vitamins.
Two commonly used methods to assess jaundice?
Icterometer and Transcutaneous bilirubin measurements
This is preferred over nasal gavage feedings, why?
Orogavage, because an NG tube takes up space and infants breathe through the nares.