NRP Lesson 9 Ethics and Care at the
End of Life
Which statement best describes the ethical principles that guide the resuscitation of a
newborn? - answer The approach to decisions in the newborn should be guided by the
same principles used for adults and older children
You are called to counsel the parents of a fetus who is believed to be at the lower limits
of viability whose birth is imminent. What should you tell the parents when they ask you
how decisions about resuscitation are made? - answerThe decision agreed before birth
may need to be modified based on the condition of the baby after birth and the postnatal
gestational age assessment.
A woman is admitted at 24 weeks gestation with rupture of membranes, maternal fever,
and premature labor. The baby is likely to be born in the next few hours with an
estimated weight of 750 g. The care team offers the parents counseling. What is likely
to be helpful in the process? - answerIt is worth obtaining up-to-date outcome data for
your institution or region, or use the NRP website and National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development estimator for national data.
When a fetus has a borderline chance of survival, and there is a high rate of
complications, what should be included in your discussion with the parents concerning
options for resuscitation? - answerThe option of only providing comfort care can be
considered.
You are part of a team called to an emergency cesarean delivery done for apparent
acute placental abruption at 41 weeks gestation. The newborn emerged without
respirations or heart rate and has had no detectable heart rate (by palpation or by
oximetry monitoring) from the time the baby was first assessed. You and the team are
convinced that resuscitation has been adequate (good chest movement with PPV,
timely and correct placement of umbilical catheter and administration of medications,
fluids, and performance of chest compressions.) After what duration might it be
appropriate to discontinue resuscitative efforts? - answerAfter 10 minutes of asystole
You are called to the birth of a newborn weighing 385g and gestional age of just under
23 weeks, a birth weight that is associated with almost certain early death and nearly
universal rate of severe morbidity among rare survivors. Which action is appropriate? -
answerAttempts at resuscitation are not indicated under these circumstances, care
should focus on comfort alone.
In the course of planning care for a newborn with a known genetic disorder, one of your
team members suggests that no resuscitation be offered. The parents agree. Other
End of Life
Which statement best describes the ethical principles that guide the resuscitation of a
newborn? - answer The approach to decisions in the newborn should be guided by the
same principles used for adults and older children
You are called to counsel the parents of a fetus who is believed to be at the lower limits
of viability whose birth is imminent. What should you tell the parents when they ask you
how decisions about resuscitation are made? - answerThe decision agreed before birth
may need to be modified based on the condition of the baby after birth and the postnatal
gestational age assessment.
A woman is admitted at 24 weeks gestation with rupture of membranes, maternal fever,
and premature labor. The baby is likely to be born in the next few hours with an
estimated weight of 750 g. The care team offers the parents counseling. What is likely
to be helpful in the process? - answerIt is worth obtaining up-to-date outcome data for
your institution or region, or use the NRP website and National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development estimator for national data.
When a fetus has a borderline chance of survival, and there is a high rate of
complications, what should be included in your discussion with the parents concerning
options for resuscitation? - answerThe option of only providing comfort care can be
considered.
You are part of a team called to an emergency cesarean delivery done for apparent
acute placental abruption at 41 weeks gestation. The newborn emerged without
respirations or heart rate and has had no detectable heart rate (by palpation or by
oximetry monitoring) from the time the baby was first assessed. You and the team are
convinced that resuscitation has been adequate (good chest movement with PPV,
timely and correct placement of umbilical catheter and administration of medications,
fluids, and performance of chest compressions.) After what duration might it be
appropriate to discontinue resuscitative efforts? - answerAfter 10 minutes of asystole
You are called to the birth of a newborn weighing 385g and gestional age of just under
23 weeks, a birth weight that is associated with almost certain early death and nearly
universal rate of severe morbidity among rare survivors. Which action is appropriate? -
answerAttempts at resuscitation are not indicated under these circumstances, care
should focus on comfort alone.
In the course of planning care for a newborn with a known genetic disorder, one of your
team members suggests that no resuscitation be offered. The parents agree. Other
