What should a nurse do to assess a 2-week-old newborn?

To assess a 2-week-old newborn, auscultating the newborn’s apical pulse for 60 seconds is a critical practice. In newborns, the heart rate can be quite variable, often ranging from 120 to 160 beats per minute while awake and may slow during sleep. Listening for a full minute ensures an accurate assessment of the heart rate, as brief observations could miss important fluctuations or irregularities.

Assessing the apical pulse is particularly important because it helps healthcare providers monitor the newborn for any signs of cardiac distress or abnormal heart rhythms early in life. Newborns have delicate cardiovascular systems, and any irregularities in their heart rate can indicate underlying health issues that require further evaluation.

While measuring head circumference, checking temperature, and conducting heel sticks are also important assessments in newborn care, the apical pulse provides essential information about the overall cardiac status of the baby, which is why it is prioritized in this scenario.