Final answer:
To prevent oxygenation issues in newborns, nurses observe the Apgar score, including heart rate and respiration. Heart rate is measured with a stethoscope and a score lower than 7 indicates the need for medical assistance. Newborns' initial breaths and effective circulation are crucial for oxygenation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prevent problems with oxygenating the newborn, a nurse can observe several important parameters. These include the Apgar score criteria: skin color, heart rate, reflexes, muscle tone, and respiration. The most critical of these criteria are heart rate and respiration. Heart rate is assessed using a stethoscope to measure the newborn's pulse, and respiration is observed to ensure that the newborn is breathing effectively.
Immediately after birth, the newborn is evaluated using the Apgar score at one minute and again at five minutes. Scores are given on a scale from 0 to 2 for each of the five Apgar criteria, with a cumulative score out of 10. A higher total Apgar score indicates that the newborn is transitioning well from the womb, whereas lower scores suggest the baby might be in distress and may need medical assistance. A score under 7 signals the need for medical intervention.
Additionally, to ensure proper oxygenation after birth, the newborn's first breath inflates the lungs and begins the transition from fetal to neonatal circulation, closing the cardiac shunts. This process, alongside the closure of the ductus arteriosus and the foramen ovale, ensures that blood pumped to the lungs is oxygenated effectively. Nurses must also consider thermoregulatory adjustments since newborns need to maintain their body temperature in the cooler external environment.