A 37-week female newborn is born to a 28-year-old female through cesarean birth. A nurse midwife assesses the newborn a minute after birth for APGAR scoring. The following assessment findings are obtained: flexed arms and legs with limited active movement; a pulse rate of 90 beats per minute; grimacing observed after inserting a tube through one of the nostrils; bluish skin tone, including the extremities; and slow, irregular breaths. Which of the following is the next action of the nurse midwife?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The next action of the nurse is to initiate clearing of the airways and oxygen therapy. The newborn has an APGAR of 4, calculated as follows: flexed arms and legs with limited active movement = 1; pulse rate below 100 beats per minute = 1; grimacing after inserting a tube through one of the nostrils = 1; bluish skin tone, including the extremities = 0; slow, irregular breaths = 1. An APGAR score of 4 to 6 indicates that the newborn requires oxygen therapy. An APGAR score of less than 4 indicates that the newborn needs immediate resuscitation. An APGAR score greater than 6 indicates well-being of the newborn. Options B and D are most appropriate for a newborn who has an APGAR score between 7 and 10.

A 37-Week Female Newborn Is Born to a 28-Year-Old Female