NICU Nurse Core

ductus arteriosus (what is it, what does it do, and why?) - Answer-blood vessel in fetal heart between pulmonary artery and aorta; shunts blood from right to left due to high pulmonary vascular resistance allows most of blood coming from r. ventricle to bypass lungs (which are not functioning in fetus) foramen ovale - Answer-hole connecting the atria in fetal heart; shunts blood from right to left (due to high pulmonary vascular resistance) acts as another route for blood to bypass the lungs (along with ductus arteriosis) purpose of surfactant in lungs - Answer-reduces surface tension in the alveolar fluid - air (CO2/O2) has to travel through layer of fluid in order to diffuse oxygen saturation monitoring location for neonatal resuscitation & O2 sat %'s after birth (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 mins) - Answer-upper right arm (preductal location) 1 min: 60-65% 2 min: 65-70% 3 min: 70-75% 4 min: 75-80% 5 min: 80-85% 10 min: 85-90% oxygen saturation monitoring location (long term NICU stay, not neonatal resuscitation) - Answer-bottom of foot or fleshy part of palm of right hand most important FHR characteristic indicating fetal oxygenation status? - Answer-variability accelerations are also important in reflecting normal autonomic regulation of FHR (oxygenation) FHR baseline range - Answer-110-160 BPM two main causes of deccelerations - Answer-1) autonomic slowing of FHR in response to to changes in blood pressure, blood gases, and other possible factors 2) direct FHR lowering resulting from disrupted oxygen disruption