Newborn Assessment Flashcards

A newborn at 1 minute has a heart rate of 90, weak cry, some flexion, grimace to stimulation, and a pink body with blue extremities. What is the Apgar score?

Answer: 5

Heart rate <100 = 1, weak cry = 1, some flexion = 1, grimace = 1, acrocyanosis = 1, total 5.

Which finding on newborn exam most strongly suggests developmental dysplasia of the hip?

Answer: A palpable clunk on the Ortolani maneuver

A clunk on Ortolani means a dislocated hip is moving back into the acetabulum, which points to DDH.

A newborn's anterior fontanelle is tense and bulging while the baby is quiet and upright. What does this most likely indicate?

Answer: Increased intracranial pressure

A bulging fontanelle in a calm, upright infant suggests raised intracranial pressure, for example from meningitis or hemorrhage.

Which newborn scalp swelling crosses suture lines and is present at birth?

Answer: Caput succedaneum

Caput succedaneum is edema of the scalp that crosses sutures and is present at birth.

A term newborn has a single palmar crease, upslanting palpebral fissures, and marked hypotonia. Which condition should the midwife suspect?

Answer: Trisomy 21

Hypotonia, upslanting eyes, and a single palmar crease are classic signs of Down syndrome (trisomy 21).

What is the normal respiratory rate range for a healthy term newborn at rest?

Answer: 30-60 breaths per minute

A normal newborn breathes 30-60 times per minute, and a sustained rate above 60 is tachypnea.

Which finding on newborn exam needs prompt referral rather than reassurance?

Answer: An absent red reflex in one eye

An absent or abnormal red reflex may mean a cataract or retinoblastoma and needs urgent ophthalmology referral.