EDAPT HIGH RISK NEWBORN ACQUIRED CONDITIONS NURSING CARE
A high-risk neonate can be defined as a newborn, regardless of gestational age or birth weight, who has a
greater than average chance of morbidity or mortality because of conditions or circumstances associated with
birth and the adjustment to extrauterine existence.
The high-risk period encompasses human growth and development from the time of viability (the gestational
age at which survival outside the uterus is believed to be possible, or as early as 23 weeks of gestation) up to
28 days after birth. Therefore, it includes threats to life and health that occur during the prenatal, perinatal,
and postnatal periods.
A nurse is planning orientation for a new nurse graduate. What is the most important nursing action for
preventing neonatal infection?
GOOD HANDWASHING
Handwashing is important for the prevention of healthcare-associated infection in nursery units. It is very
important to track census and overcrowding must be avoided in nurseries. Infants who are positive for
infections should be isolated. Nurses should change gowns between each infant assessment/interaction.
Soiled linens should be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Measures to be taken include:
 standard precautions
 careful and thorough cleaning
 frequent replacement of used equipment
 disposal of excrement and linens in an appropriate manner
 ideally, infants should remain with their mothers in the room whenever possible
A client delivered a 9 lb 10 oz infant. Which condition should the nurse be aware of related to skeletal
injuries sustained by a neonate during labor or childbirth?
Most linear skull fractures heal without special treatment.
Approximately 70% of neonatal skull fractures are linear. Because the newborn skull is flexible, considerable
force is required to fracture it. Clavicle fractures need no special treatment. The clavicle is the bone most often
fractured during birth.
An HIV positive client will be delivering in the next 24 hours. Which statement regarding the methods of
transmission from mother to fetus/child is most accurate?
Through the ingestion of breast milk from an infected mother.
Postnatal transmission of HIV through breastfeeding and breast milk may occur.
Transmission of HIV from the mother to the fetus may occur through the placenta at various gestational ages.
Transmission of HIV from the use of unsterile instruments is highly unlikely; most healthcare facilities must
meet sterility standards for all instrumentation.