A nurse is caring for a newborn who has hyperbilirubinemia and is receiving phototherapy.

Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?

It helps identify potential developmental delays.The New Ballard Scale is a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics.The scale can be used when there is no reliable obstetrical information or a major discrepancy between the estimated date of delivery and the infant’s appearance.The scale is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks and can be used up to 4 days after birth, but usually within the first 24 hours.The scale has been refined and expanded to include extremely premature neonates.

Choice A is wrong because the New Ballard Scale does not determine the newborn’s nutritional needs.It only assesses the gestational maturity of the newborn based on physical and neuromuscular signs.

Choice B is wrong because the New Ballard Scale does not assess the baby’s cognitive development.It only estimates the gestational age of the newborn, which is the primary determinant of organ maturity.

Choice D is wrong because the New Ballard Scale does not measure the newborn’s respiratory function.It only evaluates the physical and neuromuscular characteristics of the newborn, such as skin texture, lanugo, plantar surface, breast tissue, eye/ear development and genitalia.

Based on the Apgar score components provided, the newborn would likely receive the following scores:

• Appearance (color):Pink all over -2 points
• Pulse (heart rate):120 bpm -2 points
• Grimace (reflex irritability):Makes a strong cry -2 points
• Activity (muscle tone):Active movement -2 points
• Respiration:Deep, regular breaths -2 points

Adding these together, the newborn’s Apgar score would be10, which indicates the baby is in excellent condition following delivery.

The Apgar score is a quick assessment method used to evaluate a newborn baby’s health immediately after birth and again 5 minutes later. It was created by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952 and is an important tool for healthcare professionals to determine the immediate physical condition of a newborn and the need for any urgent medical care.

Here’s what the Apgar score measures, with each category receiving a score from 0 to 2:

• Appearance (color):Checks the baby’s skin tone
• Pulse (heart rate):Measures the heart rate
• Grimace (reflex irritability):Assesses the reflex response
• Activity (muscle tone):Evaluates muscle tone and movement
• Respiration:Observes the breathing effort and regularity

The significance of the Apgar score lies in its ability to provide a standardized and rapid assessment of a newborn’s vital signs and immediate health. It helps to quickly identify babies who are struggling and may need additional medical attention.However, it’s important to note that the Apgar score is not designed to predict long-term health outcomes or neurological development.It’s one of many assessments used to understand a baby’s condition at birth.

Here’s a table that outlines the Apgar score criteria and the points assigned for each:

Table

The Apgar score is calculated at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. Each of the five criteria is scored between 0 and 2, with a maximum total score of 10. This scoring system helps medical professionals quickly assess the newborn’s general condition and determine if any immediate medical intervention is needed. A score of 7 to 10 is considered normal, 4 to 6 fairly low, and 3 and below critically low.