From the handover received from neonatal registrar, it can be assumed that baby Amira is in respiratory distress. Amira is currently receiving 30% flow-by oxygen at 10 minutes old to maintain oxygen saturation (Sa02) levels of 92%. Although the target Sa02 level at 10 minutes old is between 85-90% (Department of Health and Human Services, 2014) the fact that Amira is still displaying signs of nasal flaring and moderate work of breathing despite receiving flow-by oxygen is concerning. After conducting a brief initial top to toe assessment, weight and length, Amira should be transferred to an incubator for further vital signs, monitoring and observation of her breathing. Amira’s temperature of 35.9°C is also classified as moderately…
In a time of uncertainty, once again Jeanette Zaichkin is there for parents of a premature or sick baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). For many parents, especially those of the smallest preemies, their time in the NICU is a roller coaster of worry over their baby’s health and development. These tiny and sick babies often need life saving technology to save their lives, yet this technology often makes parents feel less connected to their baby. Jeanette’s book gives parents the tools to become better informed during this scary time and therefore allows the parents to be able to ask thoughtful questions, worry less, an be move involved with the care of their baby in the NICU. The book untangles medical terminology and hospital…
Kangaroo care is defined as the way of “holding a preterm or full term infant so that there is skin-to-skin contact between the infant and the person holding it. The baby, wearing only a diaper, is held against the parent’s bare chest. Kangaroo Care (also Kangaroo Maternal [Mother] Care or Skin-to-Skin Contact and Breastfeeding) is a method used to restore the unique mother-infant bond following the sudden separation during the birth experience particularly in premature births”( www.med.umich.edu/nicu/pdf/C.3KangarooCare.pdf, 2010).…
When providing a healthy and safe environment both inside and outside the nursery, there are factors myself and other practitioners need to consider; individual children and any specific needs they may have, for example at my work place we a baby with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes restricted growth, poor core muscle strength, learning difficulties, behavioural problems such as temper tantrums or stubbornness and a permanent feeling of hunger which will start between the age of 2 and 8 years old. The practitioners who work with the baby must always consider her needs in relation to her condition, for example as the baby has poor core strength, she will be supported be using a doughnut shaped pillow and other toys that can support her weight such as play station, please see examples of both below.…
Kangaroo care is defined as the way of “holding a preterm or full term infant so that there is skin-to-skin contact between the infant and the person holding it. The baby, wearing only a diaper, is held against the parent’s bare chest. Kangaroo Care (also Kangaroo Maternal [Mother] Care or Skin-to-Skin Contact and Breastfeeding) is a method used to restore the unique mother-infant bond following the sudden separation during the birth experience particularly in premature births”( www.med.umich.edu/nicu/pdf/C.3KangarooCare.pdf, 2010).…
According to The Premature Infant Advocacy Resource Guide, in the United States, 11.5% of births are preterm and such infants require special attention and care. Neonatal nurses provide the much-needed care for infants that are born without proper functions that will allow them to live a healthy life. Neonatal nurses specialize in many different types of care in order to help these particular infants. Units of care for infants range from premature development problems to serious respiratory and digestive problems. There are specific neonatal nurses that specialize in intensive care units in hospitals to take care of infants immediately after birth (NICU).…
As a senior, I had the opportunity to job shadow an OB nurse at. During my time in the baby/mother area of Carilion Hospital, I experienced the admission process and discharge process of patients. I observed both mother patients and baby patients being assessed for vitals and given vaccinations. After each assessment was done, I observed my mentor as she put the information into the hospital date base program called “EPIC”. I observed 2 babies getting their hearing screened. I was also able to observe the tasks of a baby photographer, a nutritionist, and a brief consultation with a lactation educator. My mentor allowed me to listen to two heart beats of different babies; one with a murmur, the other without. I helped with simple tasks such as retrieving ice water and drinks and preparing a bed for a patient. My mentor showed me how to analyze the abundance of data on the main computer screen. This computer screen showed information such as what type of delivery was preformed (C-section or vaginal delivery), how the baby is to be fed (i.e. breastfeeding, formula), where the baby is being kept (NICU or nursery), etc. I witnessed a baby’s first bath, which can only be given after the baby is has a stable temperature. For this reason, most babies in the NICU will not have their first bath until weeks or months after they have been born. One thing that is not common that I had the opportunity to see was a patient with a nasogastric intubation (aspiration). The reason for her having this was because she had an abundance of fluids in her stomach, even after she had delivered her baby, and these fluids were not draining. Although I did not get to observe this next condition first hand due to the baby being placed in the NICU, I was informed that there was a baby born with gastroschisis. Gastroschisis is a disorder in which the baby is born with part of its intestines outside of its body, via the umbilical cord. My mentor described this…
Twenty-three to thirty-four weeks is a small amount of time in order to develop into a fully functioning human being. When these small patients are born into this world they are most likely rushed into the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where they address their short development time as well as any underlying medical problems, whether they be associated with their development or not. These patients are our smallest and most fragile, but also some of our loneliest. Many times nursing units within hospitals are understaffed and the nurses simply do not have time to spend just holding or speaking softly to an infant going through treatment. This is where "NICU Cuddlers" come into play. These volunteer groups are starting to crop up in hospitals around…
The decision to go into health care was an easy decision for me. It started with the birth of my cusin, he was born premature. He weighed two pounds 13 ounces; he needed specialized care which was provided by neonatal nurses. Neonatal nursing is a relatively new specialty by comparison to adult health, midwifery, or other areas of nursing. Because it is new, there are great opportunities for nurses to devote their skills to newborns who need specialized care. Neonatal refers to the first 28 days of life. Neonatal care, as known in specialized nurseries or intensive care, has been around since the 1960's (AACN, 2010). I was in awe of how they cared for my cusin. When it was time for my cusin to be released I knew I wanted to be a nurse. With life you never know what is coming your way, I did not pursue the field because life happened got married and had three more children. I did not forget that I wanted to be a nurse just couldn’t get it in my grasp.…
This pack of ECE 332 Week 2 Discussion Question 2 Complications at Birth consists of: Chapter Four of the text focuses on the birth process and newborn stage of life. For this discussion question, select two complications that may occur at birth (preterm, oxygen deprivation, etc.) and review the developmental outlook for infants born under such circumstances. Describe interventions that may support a more positive developme...…
The reaction to short-term was shown by Robertson’s in their study of 17 months old John who was placed in a residential nursery for nine days, where he was neither mothered by the nurses nor protected from…
A neonatal nurse takes care of new born infants up to 28 days after birth. Neonatal nursing works with new born infants with a variety of problems, ranging from prematurity, birth defects, infection, cardiac malformations and surgical problems. Compared to other nursing specialties, neonatal nursing is fairly new. It emerged during the 1960’s. Since it’s an up and coming field, numerous job opportunities are available for aspiring nurses interested in newborn care.…
Outcome 2 expects you to .. Be able to promote the development and learning of babies and young children…
Thermoregulation is a critical physiological function that is closely associated with the neonate’s survival. Extremely low birth weight infants have inefficient thermoregulation due to immaturity and care giver procedures such as umbilical line insertions, intubations, and chest xrays can lead to heat loss as well. As a result, infants may exhibit cold body temperatures after birth and during their first 12 hours of life. Thermoregulation plays a unique and crucial role in the nurturing and development of neonates. It helps neonatal care practitioners to provide a balanced environment through the management of temperature.…
There are many stages or levels of development for children. The stages start before birth and are known as prenatal stages. This allows for the mother to ensure a healthy, active child. The mother is responsible for following the proper nutritional guides and do’s and don’ts of parenthood. The child will be living as a part of the mother for nine months, so her health is very important. The goal of prenatal care is to promote the health of the mother and child through the pregnancy, delivery, and the child's development (Noonan, Corman, Schwartz-Soicher & Reichman, 2013). The baby develops most of its essential functions and systems, while in the womb. Once the child is born, there are proper guidelines that the parents have to follow to…