A nurse is assisting in the care of a newborn following birth. At 1 min after birth, the nurse notes the following: heart rate 110/min; slow, weak cord flexion of extremities; grimace in response to suctioning of the nares; body pink in color with blue extremities.

What should the nurse document as the newborn's 1-min Apgar score?

dropdown

Injecting the medication into the vastus lateralis. This is because the vastus lateralis is a large muscle in the thigh that is suitable for intramuscular injections in newborns³. The vitamin K injection helps prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding, which is a rare but serious condition that can cause bleeding in the brain or other organs¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns receive a single intramuscular dose of 0.5 to 1 mg of vitamin K within one hour of birth².

Choice A is wrong because a 21 gauge needle is too large for a newborn's muscle. A 25 or 27 gauge needle is more appropriate.

Choice B is wrong because injecting at a 45-degree angle may not reach the muscle tissue. A 90-degree angle is more appropriate.

Choice C is wrong because injecting 1cc of medication is too much for a newborn's muscle. The recommended dose of vitamin K is 0.5 to 1 mg, which is equivalent to 0.05 to 0.1 mL.

This is because cephalhematoma is a collection of blood under the scalp that does not cross the suture line. It is caused by trauma to the head during delivery, such as from vacuum extraction or forceps. It usually appears within a few hours or days after birth and resolves within weeks or months.

Choice B is not correct because nevus flammeus is a type of birthmark that is also known as port-wine stain. It is a flat, red, or purple patch of skin that can appear anywhere on the body, but often on the face. It is caused by abnormal blood vessels in the skin and does not go away over time³.

Choice C is not correct because the molding is the temporary change in the shape of the head due to pressure during delivery. It does not cause swelling or bruising and usually resolves within a few days.

Choice D is not correct because caput succedaneum is a type of swelling that affects the scalp and crosses the suture line. It is caused by fluid accumulation under the scalp due to pressure during delivery. It usually appears at birth and goes away within a few days.