Nicu Nursing Care Plan
A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is an intensive care unit specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants. Neonates who need to go to the unit are often admitted within the first 24 hours after birth.
Newborns may be sent to the NICU if:
• they're born prematurely
• difficulties occur during their delivery
• they show signs of a problem in the first few days of life (sepsis/infection, congenital defects, cardiac / respiratory abnormalities, low birth weight)
NICU EQUIPMENT:
• BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR may be a smaller version of the blood pressure cuff used on older children and adults. Or an ARTERIAL CATHETER (tiny tube inserted in an artery) may be used to monitor blood pressure. • CARDIORESPIRATORY MONITOR keeps track of the baby’s heartbeat and breathing • CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine delivers air or oxygen through tubes in the nostrils. It uses low, continuous pressure to keep the lungs inflated. • ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE (ETT) used with a respirator or ventilator to send air directly to the lungs. • FEEDING TUBE (ALSO CALLED A GAVAGE TUBE) • INCUBATOR used when newborn is relatively stable but still premature or requiring intravenous fluids or other special attention. The incubator keeps the newborn warm with moistened air in a clean environment, and helps to protect the baby from noise, drafts, infection, and excess handling • INTRAVENOUS LINE (IV) • PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETER (PICC) OR A PERCUTANEOUS CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER (PCVC) may be inserted in a central (large) vein. This catheter is used to give the fluids, nutrition, and medication. • PHOTOTHERAPY LIGHTS, OR "BILI LIGHTS," are used when neonates have jaundice • PULSE OXIMETER measures the level of oxygen in the baby’s blood. It’s attached to the skin with a sensor taped to the baby’s hand or foot. It works by shining a light through the baby’s hand or foot
RADIANT WARMERS used for
Newborns may be sent to the NICU if:
• they're born prematurely
• difficulties occur during their delivery
• they show signs of a problem in the first few days of life (sepsis/infection, congenital defects, cardiac / respiratory abnormalities, low birth weight)
NICU EQUIPMENT:
• BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR may be a smaller version of the blood pressure cuff used on older children and adults. Or an ARTERIAL CATHETER (tiny tube inserted in an artery) may be used to monitor blood pressure. • CARDIORESPIRATORY MONITOR keeps track of the baby’s heartbeat and breathing • CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine delivers air or oxygen through tubes in the nostrils. It uses low, continuous pressure to keep the lungs inflated. • ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE (ETT) used with a respirator or ventilator to send air directly to the lungs. • FEEDING TUBE (ALSO CALLED A GAVAGE TUBE) • INCUBATOR used when newborn is relatively stable but still premature or requiring intravenous fluids or other special attention. The incubator keeps the newborn warm with moistened air in a clean environment, and helps to protect the baby from noise, drafts, infection, and excess handling • INTRAVENOUS LINE (IV) • PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETER (PICC) OR A PERCUTANEOUS CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER (PCVC) may be inserted in a central (large) vein. This catheter is used to give the fluids, nutrition, and medication. • PHOTOTHERAPY LIGHTS, OR "BILI LIGHTS," are used when neonates have jaundice • PULSE OXIMETER measures the level of oxygen in the baby’s blood. It’s attached to the skin with a sensor taped to the baby’s hand or foot. It works by shining a light through the baby’s hand or foot
RADIANT WARMERS used for