A nurse is collecting data from a newborn immediately after delivery by a client who was at 42 weeks of gestation. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

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:

Drying the newborn's skin thoroughly is the nurse's priority after assuring a patent airway because it reduces evaporative heat loss by the newborn and prevents cold stress. Cold stress can lead to hypoxia, hypoglycemia, acidosis, and increased bilirubin levels. Drying the newborn also stimulates breathing and crying, which are signs of a healthy newborn.

Choice B reason:

Administering phytonadione IM is not the nurse's priority because it is not an immediate life-saving intervention. Phytonadione is given to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, which is caused by vitamin K deficiency. However, this condition usually occurs after the first day of life, so administering phytonadione can be delayed until after the initial assessment and stabilization of the newborn.

Choice C reason:

Documenting the Apgar score is not the nurse's priority because it is not an action that directly affects the newborn's well-being. The Apgar score is a tool to assess the newborn's condition at 1 and 5 minutes after birth based on five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color. The Apgar score can help guide the nurse's interventions, but it is not more important than providing care to the newborn.

Choice D reason:

Applying identification bands is not the nurse's priority because it is not an urgent or essential action. Identification bands are used to ensure the safety and security of the newborn and prevent errors or mix-ups. However, applying identification bands can be done after the newborn is dried, warmed, and assessed for any problems.