Nursing Care of Baby in Incubator
Introduction
An incubator is a medical device that provides a controlled environment for premature or critically ill newborns. It helps to regulate the baby’s temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels. Incubators are also used to provide phototherapy for babies with jaundice.
Nursing Care of Baby in Incubator
The nursing care of a baby in an incubator requires special attention to the baby’s needs. The nurse must monitor the baby’s vital signs, provide respiratory care, and administer medications as needed. The nurse must also provide emotional support to the baby’s family.
Monitoring Vital Signs
The nurse must monitor the baby’s vital signs closely. These include the baby’s temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. The nurse must also monitor the baby’s weight and growth.
Providing Respiratory Care
The nurse may need to provide respiratory care to the baby. This may include suctioning the baby’s airway, providing oxygen therapy, or administering medications to help the baby breathe.
Administering Medications
The nurse may need to administer medications to the baby. These medications may include antibiotics, pain relievers, or sedatives. The nurse must follow the doctor’s orders carefully when administering medications.
Providing Emotional Support
The nurse must provide emotional support to the baby’s family. The family may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed about the baby’s condition. The nurse can provide information about the baby’s condition and answer the family’s questions. The nurse can also help the family to cope with the stress of having a baby in the NICU.
Special Considerations
There are a few special considerations that the nurse must keep in mind when caring for a baby in an incubator. These include:
- Infection control: The nurse must follow strict infection control procedures to prevent the baby from getting sick.
- Skin care: The nurse must take special care of the baby’s skin. The baby’s skin is very delicate and can easily be damaged.
- Feeding: The nurse may need to feed the baby through a feeding tube. The nurse must follow the doctor’s orders carefully when feeding the baby.
Conclusion
The nursing care of a baby in an incubator requires special attention to the baby’s needs. The nurse must monitor the baby’s vital signs, provide respiratory care, and administer medications as needed. The nurse must also provide emotional support to the baby’s family.
Additional Information
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- March of Dimes
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). Guidelines for the care of newborns in the intensive care unit. Pediatrics, 142(2), e20181669.
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2018). Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/nicu/conditioninfo/Pages/default.aspx
- March of Dimes. (2018). Premature birth. Retrieved from https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/premature-birth.aspx