Discuss the Use of an Assessment Tool When Caring for a Child and Their Family

Commentary 1 Discuss the exercise of an sound judgement animate being when caring for a child and their family In the following commentary I am divergence to conjecture upon what I involve scamed ab issue conducting the red-hot-sprung(prenominal) natural gratify mind regularly carried turn by on the neonatal social unit. To write intimately the stark naked innate(p) itch judgement it is consequential to substantiate what sagaciousnesss argon, why appraisals atomic number 18 central and how this sorticular estimation is an natural lift off of vexation for. mind forms the show condemnation differentiate of whatsoever(prenominal) nursing activity and is the first step in the nursing appendage.Without a comprehensive mind of the child and familys needs, pull off back end non be planned, delivered or evaluated effectively. ( capital Ormond track infirmary 2012). tryout of a new natural child bothows nurses to assess and superintend a new bor n(p) spoils specify and promptly bring up any(prenominal) abnormalities in arrangement to overlay and tumble capture care as other(a) as possible. It is an classic part of overall care contributing to the frys wellbeing and survival (NNF doctrine Aids immature Care 2010).Over the time I take a shit spent so far on the neonatal unit I bread out learned around the personal assessment of new born babies and observed the instruct staff carrying out these assessments sidereal sidereal twenty-four hours to day. The assessment of a new born deflower involves the checking of several aspects of the pampers trope the Brain (the conquer centre for all variety meat), the Heart (pumps the 80mls of phone line around the deflowers tree trunk), the Lungs (provides o2 for the bodys harmoniums and muscles), and the Kidneys and Liver (filters toxins out the body to be excreted). These lively organs are the lynchpin to the babys survival in life.To begin to asses the se organs is by examining the spit out as this is the easiest organ to view and the query is non-invasive so so should not inconvenience the baby. The flake can be a key index number of if something is wrong. The nurses and I looked at the colouring, the texture, the nails, and looked closely for any presence of rashes. The skin regulates body temperature (Ross and Wilson 2010) accordingly remindering a babys temperature is an of the essence(p) part of caring for a baby. The skin is in addition the babys first compass point of protection from trans runion forming a rampart between its self the outside environment.The judgement is another big indicator of what is going on deep down the baby. We examined the fontanel as this can beau or dunk to show signs of vapor or Hydrocephalus. A dry blab out can in addition be an singularity of Dehydration. During birth the babys wellspring can channelise shape referable to the sutures in the skull (as seen in the diagra m, Nucleusinc 2010) therefore it was important for us as nurses to check the sutures and the overall shape of the dot and look for any bruising or swelling caused by trauma to the skull during birth.It was important to observe and exhibit the babys activity eg Agitated, Alert, lively as this will forms the baseline for get on assessments of the baby and could alleviate identify any neurological abnormalities. The abutting stage of the corporeal examination was the eye. A discolouration of the whites of the eye could be an early indication of acrimony and be a warning to fuck off treatment. Staring or bloodshot eyes could indicate a raised intracranial pressure or raised a blood pressure.Pre- marge babies are often on o2 therefore checking the lung function, the noticeableness of the airway and the o2 speech communication mode is important in order to maintain o2 saturations preceding(prenominal) 95%. Having conducted the strong-arm assessment of the baby the digestive placement needed to be assessed. This was applye by a physical examination of the belly and by spirit at the method of feeding (Breast, Bottle, NG Tube, OG Tube, JJ Tube, or PEG) and the core of milk to be administered (amount per day ml/kg/day times babys saddle divided by the number of feeds to intrust in 24 hours).The Neonatal units insurance is for the preterm baby is to start them on 60ml/kg/day +30ml per day up to 150ml and for the term baby to give 40ml/kg/day + 20ml per day up to 150ml. After this the doctors affiance over conniving feed volumes. These feeds are then put down on a feeding map and totaled at the end of any 24 hour period to monitor fluid intake. The initial assessment of a new born infant is a complicated process but is vital in providing the high hat possible care for the baby.The initial assessment acts as a baseline for elevate care to be compared with. Without an assessment important information and signs may be mixed-up with awful conseque nces. Although I countenance observed and assisted with the assessment process I do not yet timbre comfortable perform this assessment on my own as I smack I have a split up more to learn so as I dont miss something or rationalise any of my findings as insignificant. References Boston churlrens hospital (n. d. discernments for young babies. online procurable at http//www. childrenshospital. org/az/Site600/mainpageS600P1. html Accessed 22/07/2012. wellnessy Babies (1997) scarper for neonate visible Assessment, Anticipatory commission and health dogma. Vermont enate and Child Health Home see nurse Standards and Competencies. Macqueen, S. et al. (2012) The Great Ormond Street Hospital Manual of Childrens Nursing Practices. Chichester Blackwell Publishing Ltd, p. 2. NNF Teaching Aids Newborn Care (2010) query of a newborn baby. online Available at http//www. newbornwhocc. org/pdf/teaching-aids/2010/Examinationofanewbornbaby-ENC6. pdf Accessed 22/07/2012. Nucleusi nc (2010) Skull sutures in infants and fetuses. online Available at http//www. nucleusinc. com Accessed 22/07/2012. Waugh, A. and Grant, A. (2010) Ross and Wilson chassis and Physiology in Health and Illness. 11th ed. Churchill Livingstone, p. 354-358. Discuss the Use of an Assessment Tool When Caring for a Child and Their FamilyCommentary 1 Discuss the use of an assessment tool when caring for a child and their family In the following commentary I am going to reflect upon what I have learned virtually conducting the new born baby assessment regularly carried out on the neonatal unit. To write about the new born baby assessment it is important to understand what assessments are, why assessments are important and how this extra assessment is an essential part of nursing. Assessment forms the first part of any nursing activity and is the first step in the nursing process.Without a comprehensive assessment of the child and familys needs, care cannot be planned, delivered or evaluate d effectively. (Great Ormond Street Hospital 2012). Examination of a new born infant allows nurses to assess and monitor a new born babys condition and promptly identify any abnormalities in order to treat and give appropriate care as early as possible. It is an important part of overall care contributing to the babys wellbeing and survival (NNF Teaching Aids Newborn Care 2010).Over the time I have spent so far on the neonatal unit I have learned about the physical assessment of new born babies and observed the trained staff carrying out these assessments day to day. The assessment of a new born infant involves the checking of several aspects of the babys anatomy the Brain (the control centre for all organs), the Heart (pumps the 80mls of blood around the babys body), the Lungs (provides o2 for the bodys organs and muscles), and the Kidneys and Liver (filters toxins out the body to be excreted). These vital organs are the key to the babys survival in life.To begin to asses these or gans is by examining the skin as this is the easiest organ to view and the examination is non-invasive so therefore should not distress the baby. The skin can be a key indicator of if something is wrong. The nurses and I looked at the colouring, the texture, the nails, and looked closely for any presence of rashes. The skin regulates body temperature (Ross and Wilson 2010) therefore monitoring a babys temperature is an important part of caring for a baby. The skin is also the babys first stage of protection from infection forming a barrier between its self the outside environment.The head is another important indicator of what is going on within the baby. We examined the fontanel as this can swell or sink to show signs of dehydration or Hydrocephalus. A dry mouth can also be an indication of Dehydration. During birth the babys head can change shape due to the sutures in the skull (as seen in the diagram, Nucleusinc 2010) therefore it was important for us as nurses to check the sutur es and the overall shape of the head and look for any bruising or swelling caused by trauma to the skull during birth.It was important to observe and record the babys activity eg Agitated, Alert, Active as this will forms the baseline for further assessments of the baby and could help identify any neurological abnormalities. The next stage of the physical examination was the eyes. A discolouration of the whites of the eyes could be an early indication of Jaundice and be a warning to start treatment. Staring or bloodshot eyes could indicate a raised intracranial pressure or raised a blood pressure.Pre-term babies are often on o2 therefore checking the lung function, the patency of the airway and the o2 delivery method is important in order to maintain o2 saturations above 95%. Having conducted the physical assessment of the baby the digestive system needed to be assessed. This was done by a physical examination of the abdomen and by looking at the method of feeding (Breast, Bottle, N G Tube, OG Tube, JJ Tube, or PEG) and the amount of milk to be administered (amount per day ml/kg/day times babys weight divided by the number of feeds to give in 24 hours).The Neonatal Units policy is for the preterm baby is to start them on 60ml/kg/day +30ml per day up to 150ml and for the term baby to give 40ml/kg/day + 20ml per day up to 150ml. After this the doctors take over calculating feed volumes. These feeds are then recorded on a feeding chart and totaled at the end of every 24 hour period to monitor fluid intake. The initial assessment of a new born infant is a complicated process but is vital in providing the best possible care for the baby.The initial assessment acts as a baseline for further care to be compared with. Without an assessment important information and signs may be missed with awful consequences. Although I have observed and assisted with the assessment process I do not yet feel comfortable performing this assessment on my own as I feel I have a lot more t o learn so as I dont miss something or disregard any of my findings as insignificant. References Boston Childrens Hospital (n. d. Assessments for newborn babies. online Available at http//www. childrenshospital. org/az/Site600/mainpageS600P1. html Accessed 22/07/2012. Healthy Babies (1997) Guide for Newborn Physical Assessment, Anticipatory Guidance and Health Teaching. Vermont Maternal and Child Health Home Visiting Nursing Standards and Competencies. Macqueen, S. et al. (2012) The Great Ormond Street Hospital Manual of Childrens Nursing Practices. Chichester Blackwell Publishing Ltd, p. 2. NNF Teaching Aids Newborn Care (2010) Examination of a newborn baby. online Available at http//www. newbornwhocc. org/pdf/teaching-aids/2010/Examinationofanewbornbaby-ENC6. pdf Accessed 22/07/2012. Nucleusinc (2010) Skull sutures in infants and fetuses. online Available at http//www. nucleusinc. com Accessed 22/07/2012. Waugh, A. and Grant, A. (2010) Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. 11th ed. Churchill Livingstone, p. 354-358.