Question

What are the signs of a non-vigorous newborn with meconium-stained fluid and depressed respiratory rate/poor tone?

1) Cyanosis and decreased muscle tone
2) Increased heart rate and rapid breathing
3) Pale skin and weak cry
4) Jaundice and excessive sleepiness

Answer 1

The signs of a non-vigorous newborn with meconium-stained fluid include cyanosis, decreased muscle tone, pale skin, and a weak cry, as indicated by a low Apgar score. Meconium aspiration can lead to respiratory complications and increased vulnerability to pulmonary infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The signs of a non-vigorous newborn with meconium-stained fluid and depressed respiratory rate/poor tone include cyanosis, decreased muscle tone, pale skin, and a weak cry. These symptoms are typically assessed using the Apgar score, which evaluates a newborn's condition based on five criteria: skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration. When meconium is passed in utero, it can lead to meconium aspiration if the substance is inhaled with the first breath, resulting in labored breathing, a barrel-chest appearance, or a low Apgar score. Obstetricians can detect meconium aspiration by listening for a coarse rattling sound in the lungs, and confirm it with blood gas tests and chest X-rays. The presence of inhaled meconium can cause complications like airway obstruction, alveolar collapse, surfactant function interference, pulmonary inflammation, or hypertension. This, in turn, increases the susceptibility to pulmonary infections, including pneumonia.