NURS 3524 Chapter 7: PEDS Chapter 7 Week 1 Part 1
Document Summary
Physical assessment after delivery is divided into 4 phases: the initial assessment, the transitional assessment, assessment of gestational age and comprehensive, systematic physical examination. The nurse must be aware of behaviours that signal successful attachment between the parents and infant. The apgar scoring system is the most frequently used method to assess the newborn"s immediate adjustment to extra- uterine life. The score is based on observation of heart rate, respiratory effect, muscle tone, reflex irritability and colour. Evaluations are made 1 and 5 minutes after birth and are repeated q5 minutes until the infant"s condition stabilizes. The apgar score is not a tool that stands on its own to interpret past events, determine need for resuscitation or predict future events linked to the infant"s neurologic or physical status. In the initial 24 hours, changes in hr, respiration, motor activity, colour, mucus production and bowel activity occur in an orderly, predictable sequence which indicates lack of stress.
