Which condition would the nurse assess for in a newborn with blue hands and feet?
The family’s new apple of the eye is already out, and everybody can’t wait to cuddle and hold the little angel. Everyone is anxious about the health of the little one, so it is best to know the normal profile and activities of the newborn. Show
Profile of the NewbornNewborns may look alike, but each has their own physical attributes and personalities. Some newborns are fat and short while some are long and thin. There are newborns who never give a fuss whenever they are changed or cuddled, but some can cry in high decibels whenever you lift them from their cradles.
Vital Statistics
Vital signs
Adjustment to Extrauterine Life
Appearance of the NewbornNewborn Appearance
Practice Quiz: The NewbornQuiz time! 1. How could you determine if the newborn’s weight is appropriate for its age? A. By weighing the newborn on a weighing scale. 2. A few days after birth, the mother complained that the newborn lost weight. What should be the best action? A. Report the findings to the primary care provider. 3. What is the condition wherein the newborn’s lips, hands, and feet are bluish in color? A. Acrocyanosis 4. What should a mother do to the white, cream cheese-like substance that coats her baby? A. Have it examined by her primary care provider. 5. When does the anterior fontanelle close? A. At the end of the third month Answers and Rationale 1. Answer: B. By plotting its weight on a neonatal graph. A neonatal graph would show if the newborn’s weight is appropriate for its age. 2. Answer: C. Assure the mother that this is normal. A newborn loses 5% to 10% of its weight during the first few days of life. 3. Answer: A. Acrocyanosis Acrocyanosis is a normal phenomenon where the newborn’s lips, hands, and feet are bluish in the first few minutes of life. 4. Answer: C. Allow it to be gradually washed off. The vernix caseosa is a lubricating substance that would gradually disappear with washing and bathing. 5. Answer: B. At 12 to 18 months of age When the newborn reaches 12 to 18 months of age, the anterior fontanelle should be closed. The appearance of each newborn is unique in its own way, no matter how alike they seem to look. This is what makes them endearing to the people around them; their innocent personality and their tiny features would really make you love and care for them tenderly, whether you’re a family member or a healthcare provider. What causes blue extremities in newborns?Infant methemoglobinemia is also called “blue baby syndrome.” It is a condition where a baby's skin turns blue. This happens when there is not enough oxygen in the blood. Methemoglobinemia is a condition that some babies are born with (congenital) or some develop early in life (acquired).
What is the most common cause of cyanosis in newborn?It is a common finding and may persist for 24 to 48 hours. Central cyanosis — Central cyanosis is caused by reduced arterial oxygen saturation. Newborn infants normally have central cyanosis until up to 5 to 10 minutes after birth, as the oxygen saturation rises to 85 to 95 percent by 10 minutes of age [5].
Which cardiac conditions give rise to a blue baby syndrome?Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
While a rare congenital heart defect, TOF is a primary cause of blue baby syndrome. It's actually a combination of four heart defects that can reduce blood flow to the lungs and allow oxygen-poor blood to flow out into the body.
What causes purple feet in babies?If you are concerned about a blue tinge to your baby's skin, check their entire body. An off-and-on blue cast to the hands and feet, with pink skin elsewhere, is not a sign of a problem, but rather just a little bit of immaturity of the circulatory system, which will go away over time.
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