Having a baby in the NICU is one of the harderest thing we endure as parents. With these 10 tips you can have more strength, love & passion
Having a baby in the NICU is beyond difficult. Are you a new NICU mom? Check out these 19 awesome tips that helped us cope with our NICU stay.
Having a baby in NICU can be stressful! Here is NICU advice from a mom who's been there, and what she wishes someone would have told her.
19 great tips for NICU parents to help ease their NICU journey.
Nurse, what can I do now that my baby is in the NICU? Me The best thing you can do…
Do you have a premature baby in the NICU? Here are encouraging tips for surviving these challenging times as a struggling NICU mom.
A NICU personalized tip sheet, giving new NICU parents helpful hints as well as a glossary of common NICU terms to help make their stay a little easier! Written by a NICU nurse!
Find top NICU advice straight from our nurses at a Level III NICU hospital for parents that are in the NICU with their little warriors.
Having a baby in the NICU is one of the harderest thing we endure as parents. With these 10 tips you can have more strength, love & passion
If you're a new NICU nurse, here are the most common NICU terms you should know. Besides knowing what the terms mean, learn why you need to know them.
What are our “normal” Neonatal vital signs and how do we assess them? How do NICU Nurses assess our babies?!
This post explains what the different levels NICUs are, plus why it matters to you - whether you're a parent or a nurse!
Find top NICU advice straight from our nurses at a Level III NICU hospital for parents that are in the NICU with their little warriors.
Having a baby in the NICU is beyond difficult. Are you a new NICU mom? Check out these 19 awesome tips that helped us cope with our NICU stay.
NICU terminology explained by mothers of twins, all of whose premature multiples spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit.
As an NICU mama, you may feel overwhelmed with NICU mom guilt. You may be unsure of yourself and the…
Baby is finally home from the hospital and needs a few things! Check out this list of must-haves for the family when baby comes home from the NICU.
NICU NURSE CHEAT SHEET from dortoms NICU NOTES Download from above link or you may print for acceptable view. Remember to look at the whole baby. Numbers are just numbers!! THE HARDWARE WHERE IT SHOULD BE UAC (high-lying) Insertion depth = BW(kg) X 3 + 9cm; T6 - T10 UVC (high-lying) Insertion depth = 1/2UAC + 1cm; at or little above the diaphragm UVC (low-lying) insert 2-3cm for emergency use Endotracheal Tube Weight(kg) + 6 = cms at the lip; T2 - T4; check for chest rise, equal air entry and lack of gastric air Pulse oximeter foot, hand, great toe or thumb (large infant), wrist (micropremie); light emitter and detector of probe must be facing each other through baby's extremity to be accurate!! Oral or Nasal Gastric Tube Insertion depth = Distance(cm) xiphoid process to ear lobe to tip of nose; listen for air pushed in stomach (1-2cc); aspirate (should get back air & any stomach contents) Skin Temperature Probe Supine - exposed area of abdomen (best reading over liver area); Prone - soft tissue of right or left flank; do NOT place under baby or on bony area (i.e. spine or ribs) ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE SIZE <1kg 2.5mm> TOTAL FLUID VOLUME TFV = ml/kg/day IV rate = TFV ÷ 24 =ml/hour CALCULATIONS FOR GTTS Alert: watch whether using mcg or mg! Order: mcg/kg/min dose(mcg) x wt.(kg) = mcg/min mcg/min x 60(mins/hr) = mcg/hr mcg/hr ÷ 1000 = mg/hr mg/hr ÷ ml/hr (IV rate) x total volume (ml in syringe or bag) = quantity on hand (mg in bag or syringe) Order: mg/kg/hr dose(mg) x wt.(kg) = mg/hr mg/hr ÷ ml/hr (IV rate) x total volume (ml in syringe or bag) = quantity on hand (mg in bag or syringe) To determine rate based on dose & concentration: mg/hr ÷ quantity on hand(mg) x total volume(ml) URINE OUTPUT Urine total ÷ hours (i.e. 24 for a day, 8 or 12 for a shift) UOP should be ≥ 1 ml/kg/hour 1000 mcg = 1 mg; 1000 mg = 1 gram; 1000 grams = 1 kg; 1 kg = 2.2046 pounds; 1 ounce = 28.35 grams; 1 pound = 453.6 grams; 1 teaspoon = 5 mls; VITAL SIGNS Temperature Heart Rate Respirations Mean Blood Pressure Normal 97.8o to 99.0oF (36.5o to 37.2oC) 120 - 160/min.; some healthy term infants have a low, resting heart rate (90 - 110/min.) 40 - 60/min; variable, may count rates of 30 - 65 in a healthy infant The Old Adage: MBP = gestational age ± 5; today many providers prefer MBP = GA + 5 or refer to a chart; increases with GA, weight and age of life Common Considerations for Below Normal Values low fat stores, hypoglycemia, hypoxia, acidosis, sepsis, environmental factors (air temp., drafts, cold surfaces, wetness), skin probe problem, phototherapy (false high reading of skin probe; if shiny probe cover used w/phototx - cover shiny part w/tape) bradycardia (HR <> apnea (0 respirations for >20 secs. or accompanied by bradycardia) vs. normal periodic breathing, central apnea (no resp. effort) vs. obstructive (secretions, positioning, anomalies, equipment-related), with or without retractions (respiratory vs. cardiac/other etiology), prematurity, sepsis, hypoxia, anemia, polycythemia, gastric reflux (raise HOB, position left side or prone, slow gavage feed), cardiac (i.e. PDA, CHD), neurologic (i.e. IVH, seizures), narcotics, pain, adenosine, maternal magnesium therapy hypovolemia (check IV & rate), sepsis, decreased cardiac output, PPHN, tension pneumo (rapid destabilization), UAC or equipment related (dampened waveform? reduced pulse pressure? bubbles in transducer or arterial line?), check tubing and pump if on vasopressors (disconnect before fixing to avoid bolus), pain Common Considerations for Above Normal Values infection, narcotic withdrawal, environmental factors, skin probe not on or in bad position, phototherapy (turn NTE/ISC down; turn back up when phototx dc'd), excessive activity (large infants), IV prostaglandins anemia, hypoxia, sepsis, supraventricular tachycardia (HR > 220 & QRS <> respiratory distress, TTN, pneumothorax, anemia, hypoxia, sepsis, cardiac (i.e. PPHN, CHD), hyperthermia/over-heated infant, narcotic withdrawal, pain shock, cardiac, renal, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, IVH, PDA, fluid overload (correct total fluid volume?), UAC or equipment related (check level of transducer & zero), vasopressor bolus (recent line change? check tubing and pump), pain ARTERIAL BLOOD GASES pH PCO2 PO2 Bicarbonate Base* Normal 7.30 - 7.45 35 - 45 50 - 80 19 - 26 -4 - +4 Respiratory Acidosis low; normal if compensated high normal unless accompanied by hypoxia normal; high if compensated normal; may be high if compensated Metabolic Acidosis low; normal if compensated normal; low if compensated low low Metabolic Alkalosis high; normal if compensated normal; high if compensated high high CBG CO2 normal values are 35 - 50. CBG PO2 values are falsely low and irrelevant to care. Acidosis and alkalosis may have mixed etiology - both respiratory and metabolic. *Base excess or deficit reflects the amount of base that would be needed to return to normal. APGAR SCORES (1 min, 5 min then Q 5 mins til score ≥7 0 1 2 Heart rate/pulse (apical or umbilical) Absent less than 100 more than 100 Respirations (rate and effort) Absent or gasping Slow, irregular, labored, poor cry Normal, good cry Grimace (reflex irritablilty to stim, i.e. oral or nasal suctioning) No response to stim Minimal response to stim (grimace only) Grimaces, coughs or sneezes, withdraws Tone (flexion and movement) Floppy, no tone, no spontaneous movements Slightly flexed, minimal movement Flexed, active Color Cyanotic or pale Acrocyanosis Pink all over NRP REVIEW - A quick reference - not a complete study guide!! 1st 30 seconds 30 - 60 seconds Evaluate respirations, heart rate & color 60 - 90 seconds Baby's Status Interventions Baby's Status Interventions Baby's Status Interventions Term baby w/clear fluid; breathing or crying; w/good tone Warm, clear airway, dry and assess color; "routine care" Pink & breathing w/HR>100 Observe HR>60, apneic PPV* Premature, apneic or hypertonic Warm; position and clear airway as needed; dry, stimulate and reposition Central cyanosis Give oxygen HR<60 PPV* & compressions Meconium in fluid; baby vigorous - good resp. effort; HR>100; w/good tone Warm; suction mouth and nose; dry, stimulate and reposition Apneic or HR<100 PPV* HR<60,> Epinephrine Meconium in fluid; baby not vigorous - i.e. poor resp. effort; heartrate <100;> Intubate and suction trachea (use meconium aspirator), suction mouth and nose Breathing effectively after PPV & HR>100 Post-resuscitation care *Intubation may be considered at several points.
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McKenna's gorgeous Seed to Blossom batiks by Hoffman Fabrics are featured in this kit for the In Full Bloom pieced quilt. Uses the complete set of Truly McKenna In Full Bloom Art Prints (panels). Choose from three Outer Border options: MR2-541 Peace - sold out! MR1-330 Crystal MR1-589 April Kit includes: In Full Bloom Pieced Quilt Pattern - a free downloadable pattern Complete set of eight (8) In Full Bloom fabric panels (see them here) 1/8 yard for Pieced Strips 1/2 yard for Pieced Strips, Sashing and Inner Border 1 1/3 yard for Outer Border and Binding Backing fabric is not included; find it here. Full quilt measures 43½” x 52¾”
Get a full overview of normal pediatric vital signs, and a step-by-step guide with clinical nursing tips on how to take vital signs in children ➜
Are you a new mom preparing for a NICU stay? Check out these 11 must-have items from a fellow NICU mom to help make your stay a little easier.
I literally froze when the nurse told me that I’m bringing my preemie home from the NICU. I’ve waited for…
