A Normal Head-to-Toe Assessment for an Infant Born at 37 Weeks’ Gestation

A Normal Head-to-Toe Assessment for an Infant Born at 37 Weeks’ Gestation

A normal head-to-toe assessment for an infant born at 37 weeks of pregnancy would entail a thorough evaluation of the baby’s physical and physiological well-being. The evaluation would mainly examine the baby’s vital signs, like heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and blood pressure (Qais Saadoon & Qais Saadoon, 2018). The nurse would then continue inspecting the baby’s head, looking for abnormalities like cranial deformities or scalp status. The nurse would also evaluate the fontanels, and the soft spots on the baby’s skull, ensuring they are appropriately developed and not sunken or bulging. Heading down, the nurse would examine the baby’s face, observing for symmetry and any signs of abnormalities. The nurse would monitor the baby’s skin color, checking for jaundice or any other noticeable discoloration. Next, the nurse would assess the baby’s eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, evaluating any signs of disorder or congenital abnormalities. The nurse would continue to examine the baby’s neck, chest, and abdomen, communicating for any masses or abnormalities. The nurse would assess the baby’s extremities, looking for a suitable range of motion and the presence of all fingers and toes. Finally, the nurse would thoroughly evaluate the baby’s genitalia, involving examining the circumcision site if suitable. The nurse closely monitored the baby’s behavior and response to stimuli throughout the assessment.

The test mainly used to determine infant gestational age is termed the Ballard Score or Ballard Examination. The Ballard Score is an inclusive evaluation tool combing physical and neuromuscular features to estimate the gestational age of a newborn (Torres et al., 2019). It entails assessing the baby’s external physical characteristics like skin texture, lanugo, ear cartilage, breast growth, and genitalia, as well as examining neuromuscular maturity by evaluating posture, square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle, and heel-to-ear extension. The results of the Ballard Score are then compared to a standardized scoring system to estimate the baby’s gestational age. This evaluation is vital in determining if the baby is developmentally suitable for their expected due date and assists in guiding the care and interventions offered to support their growth and development.

The Scale used to Determine the Apgar Score

The Apgar score is a quick evaluation tool used to assess a newborn’s physical condition and overall well-being immediately after birth. It consists of five components, including heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color. Each component is scored from zero to two, with a maximum total score of ten (Yeshaneh et al., 2021). A score of eight is generally considered normal. In the case of this significant gestation age baby boy, who was born at 37 weeks’ pregnancy, his Apgar score of eight and nine indicates that he is in good condition. These scores indicate that he had a rapid heart rate, perfect respiratory effort, suitable muscle tone, a strong reflex response, and standard color. Comprehensively, the baby’s Apgar scores are within the expected range and do not develop any immediate concerns regarding his well-being.

Discharge Accountabilities and Screening and Immunizations for Infants in the First 24-48 Hours

As the discharging nurse for a sizeable gestational age baby born at 37 weeks of pregnancy, numerous screenings must be conducted within the first 24 to 48 hours. These screenings focus on evaluating the overall health and well-being of the newborn. One crucial screening is the newborn metabolic screening, commonly known as the heel prick test (Rodrigues et al., 2019). The test assists in identifying metabolic infections that may not be immediately evident but could result in severe health problems if left untreated. In addition, a hearing screening is typically performed to detect any hearing disability early on. The nurse should also evaluate the baby’s vital signs, including heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and blood pressure, ensuring they are within the normal range. Moreover, a physical examination is conducted to evaluate the baby’s overall appearance, look for abnormalities, and ensure proper growth. The specific vaccines the baby needs would depend on the national or regional immunization schedule. Generally, throughout the first 24 to 48 hours, the baby may get the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine (Maini & Pallett, 2018). This vaccine is a viral infection that can cause severe liver disorder, and the vaccine assists in protecting against it. The nurse would ensure proper vaccine administration, following the directions and recommendations offered by the healthcare facility and public health authorities. Educating the p