A nurse is assisting with the care of a newborn 1 hr after birth.

Select the 5 findings that the nurse should report to the provider.

Choice A reason:

Hypertonic is not a type of cerebral palsy, but a term that describes increased muscle tone or stiffness. Hypertonicity can be a symptom of spastic cerebral palsy, which is the most common type of the disorder.

Choice B reason:

Spastic is a type of cerebral palsy that affects about 80% of people with the disorder. People with spastic cerebral palsy have stiff and jerky movements due to increased muscle tone.

Spastic cerebral palsy can be further classified by the body parts affected, such as spastic hemiplegia, spastic diplegia or spastic quadriplegia.

Choice C reason:

Hypotonic is a type of cerebral palsy that affects muscle tone and posture. People with hypotonic cerebral palsy have low muscle tone or floppiness, which makes them appear limp and relaxed. Hypotonic cerebral palsy can affect the whole body or specific parts, such as the trunk, limbs or face.

Choice D reason:

Ataxic is a type of cerebral palsy that affects balance and coordination. People with ataxic cerebral palsy have difficulty with precise movements, such as writing, buttoning a shirt or reaching for a book. They may also walk in an unsteady manner or have problems with depth perception.

Choice E reason:

Mixed is a type of cerebral palsy that includes symptoms of more than one type of the disorder. For example, a person with mixed cerebral palsy may have both spastic and dyskinetic movements, or both ataxic and hypotonic features. Mixed cerebral palsy is usually caused by damage to multiple areas of the brain.

Choice A reason:

Heat facilitates the drainage of mucus for a premature newborn. This is incorrect because heat does not affect mucus drainage. Mucus drainage is more related to suctioning and hydration.

Choice B reason:

The newborn has a small body surface for his weight. This is incorrect because a small body surface area for weight would indicate a large newborn, not a premature one. A large newborn would have less risk of heat loss than a small one.

Choice C reason:

The newborn's temperature control mechanism is immature. This is correct because premature newborns have immature thermoregulation and are prone to hypothermia. Placing the newborn in an incubator helps maintain a stable temperature and prevent further complications.

Choice D reason:

Heat increases the flow of oxygen to the newborn's extremities. This is incorrect because heat does not directly affect oxygen delivery. Oxygen delivery is more related to ventilation, perfusion, and hemoglobin levels. The question is about a premature newborn who has signs of respiratory distress, such as nasal flaring, intercostal retractions, expiratory grunting, and mild cyanosis. These signs indicate that the newborn is having difficulty breathing and may have a condition such as respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, or meconium aspiration syndrome. The nurse should place the newborn in an incubator to provide warmth and prevent heat loss, which can worsen respiratory distress. The nurse should also monitor the newborn's vital signs, oxygen saturation, blood gases, chest x-ray, and neonatal abstinence scoring system if indicated. The nurse should be prepared to administer oxygen, surfactant, or mechanical ventilation as ordered.