Newborn (NURS 251) Exam Questions
and Correct Answers, (Summary) 100%
Correct.
How long does it take for neonates to adjust to life outside the womb?
It takes 5 minutes for the heart and lungs to convert to the adult system
Which side of the heart works harder in utero?
How many days in the neonatal period?
28 days
When does the transition to life outside the womb begin?
When the umbilical cord is cut and the neonate takes their first breath. Can delay cutting the cord until
it is no longer pulsing.
Important consideration after delivery before the umbilical cord is cut/clamped
Keep the baby at the same level as the placenta so blood does not flow from the baby to the placenta
or vice versa
Type 1 lung cells are responsible for...
gas exchange
Type 2 lung cells are responsible for...
producing surfactant (20-24 weeks gestation)
Surfactant
-chemical produced in the lungs to maintain the surface tension of the alveoli and keep them from
collapsing
-without it, the ability for gas exchange is severely limited
,Bronchi are formed at how many weeks gestation?
16 weeks
Primitive lungs
-formed by 26 weeks gestation
-alveoli are limited and the last to form
-decreased blood flow to the lungs until the neonate takes first few breaths after birth
-any baby born before 35 weeks is at greater risk of respiratory distress
Four types of respiratory initiators
1. Mechanical
2. Chemical
3. Thermal
4. Sensory
Respiratory initiation: Mechanical
-lungs are full of fluid in utero
-as the baby passes the vaginal vault (or small c-section incision), the lungs are compressed
-this compression forces fluid out of the lungs to aid in breathing
-the compression and expansion helps trigger breathing
Respiratory initiation: Chemical
CO2 levels rising causes change in pH and stimulates breathing
Respiratory initiation: Thermal
-inside the womb is nice and warm (99-100F)
-the delivery room is colder (60-70F)
-the exposure to the colder environment causes baby to take a breath
Respiratory initiation: Sensory
-inside the womb is dark, soft, quiet
-outside is bright, rough, loud
-this stimulation causes the baby to breathe
How soon after birth should baby cry?
within 30 seconds
What is the best exercise for the lungs?
, crying
Signs of respiratory distress
-grunting
-nasal flaring
-chest retractions
-sucking belly button to back bone
-not breathing
-cyanosis
Fetal circulation
oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood from placenta carried to fetus via umbilical vein → half enters Ductus
venosus (allows blood to bypass the liver) →carried to inferior vena cava → RA → RV → Ductus
arteriosus (conducts some blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta [bypassing the lungs/fetal
pulmonary circulation]) → aorta. Other half enters liver/portal vein → RA → Foramen ovale (allows
blood to bypass pulmonary circulation by entering the left atria directly from the right atria since there
is no gas exchange in fetal lung) → LA → LV → aorta. Illustrated here.
Ductus arteriosus
-a blood vessel in a fetus that bypasses pulmonary circulation by connecting the pulmonary artery
directly to the ascending aorta
-usually closes in first 2-3 days after birth
-most common type of heart murmur
-murmur comes and goes
-murmur heard on closing
Ductus venosus
-connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, bypassing the liver
-closes within first 5 minutes as baby transitions to adult circulation
-must close so that the liver can get blood
and Correct Answers, (Summary) 100%
Correct.
How long does it take for neonates to adjust to life outside the womb?
It takes 5 minutes for the heart and lungs to convert to the adult system
Which side of the heart works harder in utero?
How many days in the neonatal period?
28 days
When does the transition to life outside the womb begin?
When the umbilical cord is cut and the neonate takes their first breath. Can delay cutting the cord until
it is no longer pulsing.
Important consideration after delivery before the umbilical cord is cut/clamped
Keep the baby at the same level as the placenta so blood does not flow from the baby to the placenta
or vice versa
Type 1 lung cells are responsible for...
gas exchange
Type 2 lung cells are responsible for...
producing surfactant (20-24 weeks gestation)
Surfactant
-chemical produced in the lungs to maintain the surface tension of the alveoli and keep them from
collapsing
-without it, the ability for gas exchange is severely limited
,Bronchi are formed at how many weeks gestation?
16 weeks
Primitive lungs
-formed by 26 weeks gestation
-alveoli are limited and the last to form
-decreased blood flow to the lungs until the neonate takes first few breaths after birth
-any baby born before 35 weeks is at greater risk of respiratory distress
Four types of respiratory initiators
1. Mechanical
2. Chemical
3. Thermal
4. Sensory
Respiratory initiation: Mechanical
-lungs are full of fluid in utero
-as the baby passes the vaginal vault (or small c-section incision), the lungs are compressed
-this compression forces fluid out of the lungs to aid in breathing
-the compression and expansion helps trigger breathing
Respiratory initiation: Chemical
CO2 levels rising causes change in pH and stimulates breathing
Respiratory initiation: Thermal
-inside the womb is nice and warm (99-100F)
-the delivery room is colder (60-70F)
-the exposure to the colder environment causes baby to take a breath
Respiratory initiation: Sensory
-inside the womb is dark, soft, quiet
-outside is bright, rough, loud
-this stimulation causes the baby to breathe
How soon after birth should baby cry?
within 30 seconds
What is the best exercise for the lungs?
, crying
Signs of respiratory distress
-grunting
-nasal flaring
-chest retractions
-sucking belly button to back bone
-not breathing
-cyanosis
Fetal circulation
oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood from placenta carried to fetus via umbilical vein → half enters Ductus
venosus (allows blood to bypass the liver) →carried to inferior vena cava → RA → RV → Ductus
arteriosus (conducts some blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta [bypassing the lungs/fetal
pulmonary circulation]) → aorta. Other half enters liver/portal vein → RA → Foramen ovale (allows
blood to bypass pulmonary circulation by entering the left atria directly from the right atria since there
is no gas exchange in fetal lung) → LA → LV → aorta. Illustrated here.
Ductus arteriosus
-a blood vessel in a fetus that bypasses pulmonary circulation by connecting the pulmonary artery
directly to the ascending aorta
-usually closes in first 2-3 days after birth
-most common type of heart murmur
-murmur comes and goes
-murmur heard on closing
Ductus venosus
-connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, bypassing the liver
-closes within first 5 minutes as baby transitions to adult circulation
-must close so that the liver can get blood
