General Observation
This term describes a newborn’s appearance of alertness and responding to stimuli.
What is the level of consciousness?
The average heart rate range for a term neonate.
What is 120–160 beats per minute?
The term for yellow discoloration of the skin in newborns.
What is jaundice?
This reflex causes a baby to turn its head toward touch on the cheek.
What is the rooting reflex?
This is a sign of increased work of breathing, seen as chest indrawing.
What is retractions?
Checking this feature confirms proper symmetry of facial movement.
What is assessing for facial droop/asymmetry?
The normal respiratory rate for a term infant.
What is 30–60 breaths per minute?
The bluish coloring of hands and feet, common and benign in newborns.
What is acrocyanosis?
The reflex when arms and legs extend and then flex after a sudden loud noise.
What is the Moro reflex?
High-pitched breath sounds heard with a stethoscope.
What is wheezing?
This physical observation may indicate dehydration in a newborn.
What is sunken fontanelle?
The term for periods of breathing cessation lasting longer than 20 seconds.
What is apnea?
Redness and swelling under the skin may indicate this condition.
What is cellulitis?
The absence of this reflex in a term baby may indicate neurological injury.
What is the suck reflex?
A rapid, irregular breathing pattern can indicate this immature condition.
What is periodic breathing?
This term describes when a newborn limbs are held close to the body.
What is flexed posture?
This sign may indicate infection, hypothermia, or environmental issues in the NICU.
What is abnormal temperature?
This skin finding indicates infection risk related to IV or lines.
What is erythema or induration at insertion site?
This reflex is checked by stroking the sole and observing toe movement.
What is the Babinski reflex?
This audible sound at rest may indicate upper airway obstruction.
What is stridor?
This sign, involving bulging fontanelle and irritability, suggests increased intracranial pressure.
What is tense fontanelle?
In neonates, hypotension can be defined by this blood pressure threshold.
What is a mean arterial pressure less than gestational age?
Fine downy hair seen on premature infants.
What is lanugo?
Unequal pupil size in a neonate could indicate this potentially dangerous condition.
What is intracranial hemorrhage or other neurological abnormality?
The technique for quickly checking the adequacy of oxygenation in NICU.
What is pulse oximetry?