Neonatal network : NN
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This article examines common cyanotic congenital heart lesions that result in an increase in pulmonary blood flow. These lesions include transposition of the great arteries, truncus arteriosus, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, tricuspid atresia, and single ventricle. ⋯ The hemodynamics, presentation, diagnosis, medical management, and surgical treatment of each lesion are discussed. Support and teaching needs of the parents are also addressed.
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Neonatal network : NN · Aug 1998
Comparative StudyA comparison of temperature-taking methods in neonates.
The purpose of this study was to compare temperature measurements from glass/mercury thermometers to Tempa.Dot Single-Use Clinical Thermometer, B-D Digital Fever Thermometer, Mon-a-Therm Model 1000 Skin Temperature Monitor, IVAC CORE.CHECK Tympanic Thermometer, and IncuTemp3 radiant warmer skin temperature sensor measurements. The effects of ten environmental, developmental, and pharmacological factors on thermometer readings were also assessed. ⋯ The B-D Digital Fever thermometer had the highest correlation with the glass/mercury thermometer for axillary temperature. Tempa.DOT measurements showed the next highest correlation with the glass/mercury thermometer measurements. Tympanic temperature measured by CORE.CHECK was moderately correlated with the glass/mercury thermometer measurement. Skin temperatures were influenced by nesting, clothing, swaddling, and probe site placement. Tympanic readings showed effects of bed type and environmental temperature.
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Neonatal network : NN · Mar 1998
Developmentally supportive care in a neonatal intensive care unit: a research utilization project.
To implement three aspects of developmental care: lower noise levels, decreased light levels, and flexed, midline positioning. ⋯ Mean light levels and mean noise levels decreased during "quiet time" on all three shifts during the project. Optimal positioning was achieved 78 percent of the time during the project period observations.
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Neonatal network : NN · Oct 1996
ReviewThe value of the white blood cell count and differential in the prediction of neonatal sepsis.
Infection is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in high-risk neonates. Because infection has many nonspecific signs and symptoms, the neonatal nurse plays a crucial role in the early recognition of infection. The interpretation of the white blood cell (WBC) count and differential can be difficult and must take into account many factors, including gestational age, weight, and postconceptional age. This article focuses on those factors that affect WBC interpretation, as well as steps nurses can take to minimize specimen and sampling errors.
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Neonatal network : NN · Jun 1996
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialEvaluation of oxygen delivery with the use of nasopharyngeal catheters and nasal cannulas.
The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the differences between nasopharyngeal catheter and nasal cannula oxygen delivery systems in infants. Eleven subjects requiring supplemental oxygen were enrolled in the study. All infants received both therapies at three separate gas flow rates (0.5, 0.3, and 0.2 liters per minute). ⋯ There were no significant differences between the two therapies when comparing pulmonary mechanics, hypopharyngeal oxygen concentrations, and respiratory rates. However, when oxygen was delivered at the higher flow (0.5 liters), heart rate, tidal volume, and oxygen concentration were higher, and respiratory rates were decreased for both methods (p < .05). Because minimal differences were found between these two methods, either may be an appropriate choice for delivering supplemental oxygen.