Running head: NURS 3731 CLINICAL 1

Physical and Gestational Age Assessment of The Newborn

Phantashia Freeman

Youngstown State University

Author Note

Date of care November 9, 2021

NURS 3731 CLINICAL 2

Abstract

Summarizing the gestational age assessment. Student self-growth including preparation for the

performance and documentation of this assignment. Difficulties in completing assignment,

evaluation of performance. What I learned from doing this assignment and explaining the

personal and professional growth I experienced related to this assignment.

Keywords: Newborn
NURS 3731 CLINICAL 3

Physical and Gestational Age Assessment of The Newborn

Infant female born via planned cesarian section November 8, 2021, at 7:38am. Infant was

thirty-nine weeks gestation, seven pounds and four ounces, average for gestation age. APGAR at

one minute was nine, APGAR at five minutes was nine. O positive blood, negative coombs test.

No maternal use of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine or street drugs. No use of over-the-counter

medications or exposure to AIDS, Hepatitis, Rubella or TORCH. Reasoning for planned cesarian

section, the baby presents breech. No family history of congenital abnormalities or metabolic

health deviations.

Infant vitals: blood pressure 60/35, heart rate 140, respirations 50, oxygen saturation

100%, and temperature of 98. Baby girl measured at 20 inches long, head circumference 34

centimeters and chest circumference 33.5 centimeters. Infant anatomy and physical appeared

normal, attached is the A & P packet.

Baby girl was successfully cluster feeding and sleeping for many hours after. All reflexes

were present, no lab results were available yet. Positive response to stimuli, crying when aroused

and cold.

Preparation

Preparation for this assessment was fun, I like being organized and knowing what I need

for things. I gathered all my material prior to getting the baby from mom’s room. As well as

reading the entire blank packet to organize the order of the assessment and to know exactly all

the task I was to perform to be able to fill out the packet in its entirety. I also helped two

classmates perform their assessments which was great practice for when it was my time.
NURS 3731 CLINICAL 4

Difficulties

I didn’t find many difficulties in the assignment, I thought it was wonderful to spend time with

the infant and consoling the baby while doing the assessment. It reminded me of my day care

working days. Baby girl was cooperative. I performed the assessment in half the time compared

to my classmates. If I had to think about a difficulty, it would be the documentation on the paper

and remembering the assessment (even though I documented right after).

Evaluation

I believe I did well on my assessment, I received compliments form my instructor and

peers. Not trying to brag but I made the experience fun, and I enjoyed it, so it naturally came

with ease.

What was learned

I learned that you must work quick with newborns because they get irritable and cold

quickly and easily. Also, when checking the genitalia, you don’t want to get peed on.

Personal and professional growth

Compared to the beginning of the semester I have definitely grown more comfortable

having the infant alone and working with moms, having conversations. I believe I learned how to

be more professional and to set boundaries. I love this field and really enjoyed this clinical

experience. Doing the newborn assessment brough back great memories of working with infants

in the day care and made me happy. It was fun and enjoyable; I was ready to do another one.