Care given to a 15 day old baby with breathing difficulties Essay

Care given to a 15 day old baby with breathing difficulties - Essay Example Moreover, the paper will include efforts to understand the foetal circulation in relation to a neonate circulation along with an explanation of provision of the most appropriate treatment and care to Flora, as well as to her family members. Lastly, the researcher will endeavor to provide a clarification of ways that a children’s nurse can take to make a respiratory assessment of a child of Flora’s age, as well as assessments of older children. Discussion On arrival at The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, the team took Flora to the resuscitation room where they noticed her having breathing difficulties and a high pulse rate. Results of the initial assessment indicated her to be at a high risk; however, it was usual as infants often confront respiratory distress and similar signs and symptoms due to undiagnosed cardiac problems (Fergusson, 2008, 23-39). Subsequently, Professor Carley evaluated Flora’s physical condition and her behaviour using observati onal assessment of her airway, breathing, and circulation (Resuscitation Council UK, 2006, 1-10). It was noticeable that Flora was able to move all of her limbs with vigour, and there was no evidence of pallor that could indicate hypoxia (Fergusson, 2008, 35-40). In addition, the team noticed signs of efforts for breathing and visual signs of recession while observing Flora’s chest (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2010, 29). The team also listened to the sound of Flora’s breathing, and luckily, both nasal flaring and chest recession were evident. Vital signs such as, temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation were intact and functioning (Federspiel, 2010, 135). Furthermore, the team took blood samples for testing, which revealed that her kidneys were working in satisfactory condition and she was not anaemic, and additionally, Flora’s iron levels in her blood were normal as well. The hemoglobin levels in her blood were good, o xygenated cells were in high enough numbers within the blood to deliver oxygen to all tissues around the body that was another good sign. In addition, the team carried out blood tests to check PH imbalance and white cell count, as when in high numbers, they could indicate infection (Harrison, 2008, 56-67). After evaluating all these tests, Professor Carley reassured Flora’s parents by using the word ‘safe’ while explaining her immediate condition. In particular, Flora was at an age when cardiac abnormalities are often usual. One of the reasons is that in utero, the foetus obtains oxygenated blood, and nutrients from the placenta via the umbilical vein as defined by Chamley et al (2005, 11-26), and the lungs are not functional at this stage. At birth, important changes occurred to turn the foetal circulation into that of a neonatal circulation and before a baby can take in oxygen; her heart had to connect with the lungs (Holmes, 2010, 12), and this transition enab led Flora’s body to take over and begin to work independently (Glasper et al., 2007, 30-55). In particular, with every baby’s first breathe, the airways open and the drop-in pressure causes blood to rush to the lungs to receive oxygen, this oxygen reaches blood, and subsequently,