Module WB0508             Normal Newborn:  Processes of Adaptation

Reading Materials:

Chapter 19, Normal Newborn:  Processes of Adaptation, Foundations of Maternal-

Newborn Nursing, Murray, et. al., Saunders Elsevier, St. Louis, 2006, pages 450-467.

Objectives

1.       Describe the cardiac and respiratory changes that occur during neonatal

          transition to extrauterine life.

2.       Explain the thermoregulation mechanisms that affect the neonate’s ability

          to regulate temperature

3.       Identify the mechanisms and underlying physiology of heat loss in neonates

4.       Review physiology related to hematologic adaptation of the newborn

5.       Summarize gastrointestinal functioning in the newborn

6.       Discuss the hepatic system function and physiology on why newborns are

          at risk for hyperbilirubinemia

7.       Outline the factors affecting newborn blood glucose maintenance  

8.       Apply renal physiologic factors and how it affect kidney function in the newborn

9.       Differentiate the role of immunoglobulins in immune function of the neonate

10.     Compare and contrast periods of reactivity and behavioral states of the

          neonate

Content Outline

1.       Fetal Lung physiology

2.       Physiology of onset of respiration

3.       Physiology of cardiac adaptation

4.       Thermoregulation

          4.1     Mechanisms of heat loss

          4.2     Cold stress

          4.3     Neutral thermal environment

5.       Hematologic adaptation

6.       Gastrointestinal functioning

7.       Blood glucose maintenance

8.       Hepatic function

          8.1     Bilirubin conjugation

          8.2     Factors leading to hyperbilirubinemia

9.       Urinary functioning

10.     Immune system

11.     Psychosocial adaptation

          11.1    Periods of reactivity

          11.2    Behavioral states