A client asks the nurse about the purpose of the New Ballard Scale.
How should the nurse respond?
"It assesses the newborn's cognitive development."
"It evaluates the baby's physical strength and coordination."
"It measures the newborn's respiratory maturity."
"It determines the gestational age and identifies developmental risks.".
The Correct Answer is D
It determines the gestational age and identifies developmental risks. The New Ballard Scale is a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics. The scale can be used when there is no reliable obstetrical information or a major discrepancy between the estimated date of delivery and the infant’s appearance. The scale is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks and can be used up to 4 days after birth, but usually within the first 24 hours. The scale has been refined and expanded to include extremely premature neonates.
Choice A is wrong because it assesses the newborn’s cognitive development. The New Ballard Scale does not measure cognitive development, but rather physical and neuromuscular maturity.
Choice B is wrong because it evaluates the baby’s physical strength and coordination. The New Ballard Scale does not measure strength and coordination, but rather physical characteristics such as skin, lanugo, plantar surface, breast, eye/ear, and genitals, and neuromuscular characteristics such as posture, square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle, scarf sign, and heel to ear.
Choice C is wrong because it measures the newborn’s respiratory maturity. The New Ballard Scale does not measure respiratory maturity, but rather gestational age based on physical and neuromuscular criteria.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The neuromuscular maturity test on a newborn using the New Ballard Scale evaluates the flexion in different positions.The test is a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics.The test can be used when there is no reliable obstetrical information or a major discrepancy between the estimated date of delivery and the infant’s appearance.
Choice A is wrong because skin thickness and appearance are part of the physical maturity score, not the neuromuscular maturity score.
Choice B is wrong because presence of lanugo and breast buds are also part of the physical maturity score, not the neuromuscular maturity score.
Choice D is wrong because creases on the bottom of feet are another part of the physical maturity score, not the neuromuscular maturity score.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
It determines the gestational age and identifies developmental risks.TheNew Ballard Scaleis a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics.The scale can be used when there is no reliable obstetrical information or a major discrepancy between the estimated date of delivery and the infant’s appearance.The scale is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks and can be used up to 4 days after birth, but usually within the first 24 hours.The scale has been refined and expanded to include extremely premature neonates.
Choice A is wrong because it assesses the newborn’s cognitive development.The New Ballard Scale does not measure cognitive development, but rather physical and neuromuscular maturity.
Choice B is wrong because it evaluates the baby’s physical strength and coordination.The New Ballard Scale does not measure strength and coordination, but rather physical characteristics such as skin, lanugo, plantar surface, breast, eye/ear, and genitals, and neuromuscular characteristics such as posture, square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle, scarf sign, and heel to ear.
Choice C is wrong because it measures the newborn’s respiratory maturity.The New Ballard Scale does not measure respiratory maturity, but rather gestational age based on physical and neuromuscular criteria.
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