Question

The assessment should be conducted with the infant ________ and lying in _______.

1) In a diaper; the mother's arms
2) In a blanket; a bassinet
3) Undressed; a radiant warmer
4) None of the above

Answer 1

The correct way to conduct an infant assessment right after birth is with the infant undressed and in a radiant warmer. This allows for an accurate evaluation of vital signs and overall health to determine the Apgar score, which is crucial for identifying any immediate health concerns.

Step-by-step explanation:

The assessment of an infant directly after birth should be conducted with the infant undressed and lying in a radiant warmer. This approach allows for clear and direct observation of the skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration to determine the Apgar score. The radiant warmer provides the necessary warmth to maintain the infant's body temperature during the examination.

Furthermore, the Apgar score evaluation is essential since it is performed right after birth and again at 5 minutes, with each of the five criteria receiving a score between 0 and 2, wherein a higher cumulative score suggests a well-transitioning baby, and lower scores may indicate distress. Understanding the importance of this immediate postnatal assessment is crucial as it helps in early detection of complications and guides subsequent interventions, if necessary.