PN 3006 -- Newborn Assessment UPDATED
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
When is newborn assessment done - CORRECT ANSWER ASAP after birth; done
periodically afterward until discharge from care
Purpose of Newborn Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER Detect disease in early stage,
determine cause and effect of disease, teach child and parent, predict future health, determine
nature of treatment or care if needed
After initial assessment, how should you assess - CORRECT ANSWER 1 hour after
feedings; in a neutral environment; in presence of a parent; gently and methodically (from top to
bottom); systems that require a quiet child first
Apgar Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER 1 and 5 minutes after birth; assesses heart rate,
respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability and colour; maximum score is 10 the baby is in
good condition; <6 at 5 minutes needs an additional assessment at 10 minutes
Causes of low Apgar score - CORRECT ANSWER CNS disease, congenital muscular
disease, asphyxia, maternal drugs, prematurity, fetal sepsis
Phases of newborn assessment - CORRECT ANSWER Initial
Transitional
Assessment of gestational age
Systemic physical examinations
Temperature of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Normal 36.5-37.5; hypothermia < 36;
hyperthermia >41
, Respiratory rate of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Normal 35; tachypnea >40;
bradypnea <20
Heart rate of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER 120-160 bpm
Blood pressure of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Average of 65/44 at 1-3 days
Average weight of term newborn - CORRECT ANSWER 2.5-3.5kg. Should be taken w/in
1 hour of birth
Average length of term newborn - CORRECT ANSWER 48-50cm
Average head circumference for term newborn - CORRECT ANSWER 33-35cm; 2-3cm
larger than chest circumference
Average chest circumference for term newborn - CORRECT ANSWER 30-33cm
Physical activity of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Will be active within 30 mins of
birth, then will be asleep most of the time for the next 3 days.
Posture of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Normal posture is that of universal flexion.
Extended posture of newborn may be due to hypotonicity.
Normal colour of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Immediately at birth dark red to
purple, turn pink/red after first breath. Hands and feet may remain bluish for a few days
Normal texture of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Soft turgidity: sensation of fullness
derived from the presence of hydrated subcutaneous tissue
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
When is newborn assessment done - CORRECT ANSWER ASAP after birth; done
periodically afterward until discharge from care
Purpose of Newborn Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER Detect disease in early stage,
determine cause and effect of disease, teach child and parent, predict future health, determine
nature of treatment or care if needed
After initial assessment, how should you assess - CORRECT ANSWER 1 hour after
feedings; in a neutral environment; in presence of a parent; gently and methodically (from top to
bottom); systems that require a quiet child first
Apgar Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER 1 and 5 minutes after birth; assesses heart rate,
respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability and colour; maximum score is 10 the baby is in
good condition; <6 at 5 minutes needs an additional assessment at 10 minutes
Causes of low Apgar score - CORRECT ANSWER CNS disease, congenital muscular
disease, asphyxia, maternal drugs, prematurity, fetal sepsis
Phases of newborn assessment - CORRECT ANSWER Initial
Transitional
Assessment of gestational age
Systemic physical examinations
Temperature of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Normal 36.5-37.5; hypothermia < 36;
hyperthermia >41
, Respiratory rate of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Normal 35; tachypnea >40;
bradypnea <20
Heart rate of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER 120-160 bpm
Blood pressure of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Average of 65/44 at 1-3 days
Average weight of term newborn - CORRECT ANSWER 2.5-3.5kg. Should be taken w/in
1 hour of birth
Average length of term newborn - CORRECT ANSWER 48-50cm
Average head circumference for term newborn - CORRECT ANSWER 33-35cm; 2-3cm
larger than chest circumference
Average chest circumference for term newborn - CORRECT ANSWER 30-33cm
Physical activity of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Will be active within 30 mins of
birth, then will be asleep most of the time for the next 3 days.
Posture of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Normal posture is that of universal flexion.
Extended posture of newborn may be due to hypotonicity.
Normal colour of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Immediately at birth dark red to
purple, turn pink/red after first breath. Hands and feet may remain bluish for a few days
Normal texture of newborn - CORRECT ANSWER Soft turgidity: sensation of fullness
derived from the presence of hydrated subcutaneous tissue
