Which of these is a characteristic of a preterm infant?

Choice A:

Temperature is not a priority finding to report to the provider. The newborn's temperature may vary slightly depending on the environment and the method of measurement. A normal temperature range for a newborn is 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F).

Choice B:

Respiratory findings are important to report to the provider because the newborn had a low Apgar score at 1 minute and required positive pressure ventilation and oxygen. The nurse should assess the newborn's respiratory rate, effort, breath sounds, and oxygen saturation. Any signs of respiratory distress, such as tachypnea, grunting, retractions, nasal flaring, or cyanosis, should be reported immediately.

Choice C:

Serum glucose is a critical finding to report to the provider because the newborn is at risk for hypoglycemia due to the abruptio placenta and the emergency cesarean birth. Hypoglycemia can cause neurological damage and seizures in newborns. A normal serum glucose level for a newborn is 40 to 60 mg/dL.

Choice D:

Hematocrit is a significant finding to report to the provider because the newborn may have polycythemia or anemia due to the abruptio placenta and the blood loss during delivery.

Polycythemia can cause hyperviscosity and thrombosis, while anemia can cause hypoxia and shock. A normal hematocrit level for a newborn is 42% to 65%.

Choice E:

White blood cell count is not a priority finding to report to the provider. The newborn's white blood cell count may be elevated due to the stress of birth or a maternal infection. A normal white blood cell count for a newborn is 9,000 to 30,000/mm3.

Choice F:

Hemoglobin is an important finding to report to the provider because the newborn may have polycythemia or anemia due to the abruptio placenta and the blood loss during delivery.

Hemoglobin is the main component of red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues. A normal hemoglobin level for a newborn is 14 to 24 g/dL.

Choice G:

Heart rate is a vital finding to report to the provider because the newborn had a non- reassuring fetal heart rate during labor and delivery. The nurse should monitor the newborn's heart rate and rhythm for any signs of bradycardia, tachycardia, or arrhythmias. A normal heart rate range for a newborn is 110 to 160 beats per minute.

Choice A reason:

Hypertonic is not a type of cerebral palsy, but a term that describes increased muscle tone or stiffness. Hypertonicity can be a symptom of spastic cerebral palsy, which is the most common type of the disorder.

Choice B reason:

Spastic is a type of cerebral palsy that affects about 80% of people with the disorder. People with spastic cerebral palsy have stiff and jerky movements due to increased muscle tone.

Spastic cerebral palsy can be further classified by the body parts affected, such as spastic hemiplegia, spastic diplegia or spastic quadriplegia.

Choice C reason:

Hypotonic is a type of cerebral palsy that affects muscle tone and posture. People with hypotonic cerebral palsy have low muscle tone or floppiness, which makes them appear limp and relaxed. Hypotonic cerebral palsy can affect the whole body or specific parts, such as the trunk, limbs or face.

Choice D reason:

Ataxic is a type of cerebral palsy that affects balance and coordination. People with ataxic cerebral palsy have difficulty with precise movements, such as writing, buttoning a shirt or reaching for a book. They may also walk in an unsteady manner or have problems with depth perception.

Choice E reason:

Mixed is a type of cerebral palsy that includes symptoms of more than one type of the disorder. For example, a person with mixed cerebral palsy may have both spastic and dyskinetic movements, or both ataxic and hypotonic features. Mixed cerebral palsy is usually caused by damage to multiple areas of the brain.