The nurse is assessing a 38-week gestation newborn infant immediately following a vaginal birth. Which assessment finding best indicates that the infant is transitioning well to extrauterine life?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Cries vigorously when stimulated. A vigorous cry is a positive sign that the infant's lungs are functioning well and that they are receiving adequate oxygenation, indicating a good transition to extrauterine life.B. Heart rate of 220 beats/minute. A heart rate of 220 beats/minute is too high for a newborn and could indicate tachycardia or distress, not a normal transition.C. A positive Babinski reflex. A positive Babinski reflex is a normal finding in newborns but is not directly related to their immediate transition to extrauterine life. It is a neurological reflex that indicates normal nervous system function.D. Flexion of all four extremities. Flexion of all four extremities is a good sign of normal muscle tone and neurological function but does not directly indicate respiratory or circulatory adaptation to extrauterine life as clearly as a vigorous cry does.