A nurse is performing the physical maturity test on a newborn using the New Ballard Scale.
What characteristic would the nurse assess?
Skin thickness and presence of lanugo
Flexion in different positions
Creases on the bottom of feet
Scrotum development.
The Correct Answer is B
Flexion in different positions. The New Ballard Scale is a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics. Flexion in different positions is one of the six neuromuscular signs that are assessed using the scale. The other neuromuscular signs are square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle, scarf sign, and heel to ear.
The other statements are wrong because:
Skin thickness and presence of lanugo are physical signs, not neuromuscular signs. They are also assessed using the New Ballard Scale, along with plantar surface, breast, eye/ear, and genitals.
Creases on the bottom of feet are part of the plantar surface assessment, which is a physical sign, not a neuromuscular sign.
Scrotum development is part of the genital assessment, which is a physical sign, not a neuromuscular sign.
The New Ballard Scale can be used up to 4 days after birth, but usually within the first 24 hours. The scale is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks. The total score determines the gestational maturity in weeks.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Flexion in different positions.The New Ballard Scale is a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics.Flexion in different positions is one of the six neuromuscular signs that are assessed using the scale.The other neuromuscular signs are square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle, scarf sign, and heel to ear.
The other statements are wrong because:
Skin thickness and presence of lanugo are physical signs, not neuromuscular signs.They are also assessed using the New Ballard Scale, along with plantar surface, breast, eye/ear, and genitals.
Creases on the bottom of feet are part of the plantar surface assessment, which is a physical sign, not a neuromuscular sign.
Scrotum development is part of the genital assessment, which is a physical sign, not a neuromuscular sign.
The New Ballard Scale can be used up to 4 days after birth, but usually within the first 24 hours.The scale is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks.The total score determines the gestational maturity in weeks.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The newborn had some problems at birth but is now in excellent condition.
The Apgar score is a method of assessing the health of a newborn on a scale of 0 to 10 based on five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.
A score of 7 to 10 indicates that the newborn is in good condition and does not need any special care.
A score of 4 to 6 indicates that the newborn has some problems and may need some assistance.
A score of 0 to 3 indicates that the newborn is in serious trouble and needs immediate medical attention.
Choice A is wrong because a score of 8 at one minute after birth does not indicate a difficult transition.
It means that the newborn had only minor problems and was in good condition.
Choice B is wrong because a score of 10 at five minutes after birth does not indicate an improvement from a score of 8.
It means that the newborn had no problems and was in excellent condition.
Choice D is wrong because a score of 10 at five minutes after birth does not indicate a deterioration from a score of 8.
It means that the newborn had no problems and was in excellent condition.
Normal ranges for the Apgar score are:
• At one minute after birth: 7 to 10
• At five minutes after birth: 8 to 10
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