School of Nursing

5th Floor Fisher Hall
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
Email: nursing@duq.edu
Phone: 412.396.6550
Fax: 412.396.6346

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Physical Assessment of the Newborn

This site is in the process of being updated.

photo of normal newborn

Normal Newborn: General Appearance

  • Well-flexed, full range of motion, spontaneous movement

Common variations:

  • Legs extended with frank breech

Signs of potential distress or deviations from expected findings:

  • Posture limp

  • Asymmetry of movement

  • Persistent tremor, twitching

Acknowledgement:

Special thanks to Robert, Barbara, and Allison Clifford for their participation in the preparation of the video clips used in this presentation.

References:

Burns, C.E., Barber, N., Brady, M.A., Dunn, A.M., (1996) Pediatric Primary Care: A Handbook for Nurse Practitioners, Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Company.

Gorrie, Trula Myers, McKinney, Emily Stone, and Murray, Sharon Smith. (1994). Foundations of maternal newborn nursing,Philadelphia; W. B. Saunders Company.

Wong, Donna L. (l995). Whaley & Wong's nursing care of infants and children; contributing editor, David Wilson. 5th edition. St. Louis: Mosby.

Variations and minor departures in infants (1994), Mead Johnson & Company: Evansville, Indiana.

Resources:

CTS staff, Duquesne University.

Created by Lenore K. Resick, PhD, CRNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP
311 Fisher Hall
412-396-5228
resick@duq.edu

© 1996 Duquesne University