Correct Answer: blood pressure – 100/60 mm hg
in the question provided, you are asked to identify which vital sign is not within the normal range for a newborn. the vital signs listed include axillary temperature, blood pressure, respirations, and apical heart rate.
let’s review each vital sign:
1. **axillary temperature – 97.8° f**: this temperature is considered within the normal range for a newborn. normal axillary temperature should be approximately between 97.7°f and 99.5°f (36.5°c and 37.5°c). therefore, this reading is typical for a healthy newborn.
2. **blood pressure – 100/60 mm hg**: this reading stands out as it is higher than the typical range for newborns. for newborns, the average systolic blood pressure (the top number) can range from 60 to 80 mm hg, and the diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) typically ranges from 20 to 40 mm hg. over the first few days of life, it may rise to 80-90/40-50 mm hg. therefore, a blood pressure of 100/60 mm hg is considered above the normal range for a newborn.
3. **respirations – 40 breaths/min**: this respiratory rate is within the normal range. newborns typically breathe between 30 and 60 times per minute. thus, a rate of 40 breaths per minute fits well within this expected range.
4. **apical heart rate – 145 beats/min**: this heart rate is also within the normal range. the normal heart rate for a newborn varies between 120 and 160 beats per minute. a rate of 145 beats per minute is typical and indicates a healthy heart function in a newborn.
based on the analysis of each vital sign, the blood pressure reading of 100/60 mm hg is the only measurement that is not within the normal range for a newborn. the other vital signs (axillary temperature, respirations, and apical heart rate) all fall within the expected parameters for a healthy newborn.
|