Assessments for a 4 Day Neonate Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Assessments for a 4-Day Neonate. Answer: At four- days, the newborn should be assessed for vital signs; this includes respiration, heart rate, and body temperature. The normal heart rate of a neonate is between 120 to 160 beats per minute. However, the rate might decrease to 100 beats per minute when during sleep. During sleep, the midwife or the healthcare provider should count the heart for a minute to determine if it is normal. In addition, the healthcare provider should assess the respirations rate, which is 30 to 60, breaths a minute. In this case, bilateral expansions are observed to determine retractions and symmetry (Lean, Smyser Rogers, 2017). When doing the observations, the health care provider should look for signs of distress during breathing; this includes intercostals retraction and nasal flaring. In addition, the healthcare provider should count the respiratory rate for a minute while at the same time observe the abdomen as it rises and falls. Finally, the healthcare provider should measure the temperature of the neonate from time to time. The health care provider should take the axillary temperature by inserting the thermometer beneath the axilla under the arm. The normal temperature ranges between 36.5 to 37.2 C. checking of temperature is important in the determination of signs of sepsis or infection in cases where the baby cannot maintain temperature (Disabato Daniels, 2017). In conclusion, it is important to note that, temperature and, respirations, and heart rate can be assessed when the mother holds the infant skin-to-skin. These assessments should be done fast to prevent the neonate from hypothermia. References Disabato, J. A., Daniels, D. A. (2017). Neurological assessment of the neonate, infant, child, and adolescent. InNursing care of the pediatric neurosurgery patient. Springer International Publishing. 45(5) pp23 Lean, R. E., Smyser, C. D., Rogers, C. E. (2017). Assessment: The Newborn.Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 106(1) 78- 110