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Newborn Physical Assessment

In: Science

Submitted By mmeade86
Words 263
Pages 2
physical assessment of a newborn is very important because it focuses on normal and abnormal findings. Observing the head’s shape is important because of the molding that happens in majority of births that occur vaginally. There are many things that can occur to a newborn resulting from birth trauma causing unusual masses or prominences. Two most common types of birth traumas that can occur during birth are caput succedaneum or cephalhematoma.
The most commonly observed scalp lesion is caput succedaneum, a vaguely outlined area of edematous tissue situated over the portion of the scalp that presents in a vertex delivery (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2011, p 280). It more likely to form during a long or hard delivery. The swelling extends beyond the sutures and can be associated with petechiae or ecchymosis. Most of the time, the problem is noticed after birth. No treatment is needed. The problem usually goes away on its own within a few days. Complications may include a yellow color to the skin.
A cephalhematoma forms when blood vessels rupture during labor or delivery to produce bleeding into the area between the bone and its periosteum (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2011, p 281). Cephalohematomas are more common in first pregnancies, if the baby's head is larger than the birth canal. It gets better with no treatment within 3 months. The boundaries of the cephalhematoma are distinguishable and do not extend beyond the limits of the bone. Hyperbilirubinemia may result during resolution of the hematoma. A local infection can develop and is suspected when swelling suddenly increases (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2011, p

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