Newborn Assessment
Viewing Study Tools Requires a Membership
55% of NURSING.com users are visual learners, and 35% stop using their textbooks altogether.
I knew, going into nursing school, that OB was not an area that I wanted to work in once I graduated.Â
I had always wanted to work trauma, ICU, or OR . . . I was lucky enough to get a job in the ICU right after graduation, so that all worked out.
However, OB is one of the areas that I struggled with most in nursing school, and itâs one of the most common trouble areas that we hear about from students.
To help with this, weâve created a newborn assessment cheatsheet that includes some of the most important assessments you must carry out within the first few minutes of the child's life.
The cheatsheet is below, but let me share a personal story about WHY understanding this material is so important.
My son was born in a large teaching hospital and had paramedics, residents, and nursing students in attendance at his birth.
As soon as he was born the nursing student started performing the basic newborn assessment. Â When she tried to take his rectal temperature she had trouble passing the thermometer.
Rather than force it . . . she looked at her professor and said, âI canât get a tempâ . . . I am so glad that she did this.
It turned out my son was born with an issue that only occurs in 1 out of every 5,000 live births and required three surgeries to repair.
I guess my point is . . . be humble . . . itâs okay NOT to know something or to be unsure. Â Had this student tried to force the thermometer or pretended, itâs hard to know what the outcome might have been.
Guys . . . .weâre all in this together and we want to give you the tools and confidence you need to succeed!
