1. A woman gave birth to a healthy 7-pound, 13-ounce infant girl. The nurse suggests that the client
place the infant to her breast within 15 minutes after birth. The nurse is aware that the initiation of
breastfeeding
...
1. A woman gave birth to a healthy 7-pound, 13-ounce infant girl. The nurse suggests that the client
place the infant to her breast within 15 minutes after birth. The nurse is aware that the initiation of
breastfeeding is most effective during the first 30 minutes after birth. What is the correct term for this
phase of alertness?
First Period of Reactivity
The first period of reactivity is the first phase of transition and lasts up to 30 minutes after birth. The
infant is highly alert during this phase. The transition period is the phase between intrauterine and
extrauterine existence. The second period of reactivity occurs approximately between 4 and 8 hours after
birth, after a period of sleep.
2. Part of the health assessment of a newborn is observing the infants breathing pattern. What is the
predominate pattern of newborns breathing?
Abdominal with synchronous chest movements
In a normal infant respiration, the chest and abdomen synchronously rise and infant breaths are shallow
and irregular. Breathing with nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory distress. Diaphragmatic breathing with
chest retraction is also a sign of respiratory distress.
3. The nurse is assessing a full term, quiet, and alert newborn. What is the average expected apical pulse
range (in beats per minute)?
120 to 160
The average infant heart rate while awake is 120 to 160 beats per minute. The newborns heart rate may
be approximately 85 to 100 beats per minute while sleeping and typically a little higher than 100 to 120
beats per minute when alert but quiet. A heart rate of 150 to 180 beats per minute is typical when the
infant cries.
4. A newborn is placed under a radiant heat warmer. The nurse understands that thermoregulation
presents a problem for the newborn. What is the rationale for this difficulty?
Newborns have a relatively thin layer of subcutaneous fat that provides poor insulation
The newborn has little thermal insulation. Furthermore, the blood vessels are closer to the surface of the
skin. Changes in environmental temperature alter the temperature of the blood, thereby influencing
temperature regulation centers in the hypothalamus.
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