Physiological and behavioral responses of newborns at risk to nurse’s care

Abstract

Daily tasks carried out by nurses working at the Neonatal Unit (NU) require expanding practice and observation skills, from the perspective of professional activities. The aim of this study was to investigate physiological and behavioral responses of newborns (NB) at risk being cared by NU nurses. This exploratorydescriptive study was carried out with 33 NB at risk admitted to the NU of a public maternity ward, in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, from December/2004 to March/2005. Direct observation of care provided by nurses to the NB, and medical records on birth conditions were used. The most frequent physiological response was change in the heart rate, followed by changes in oxygen saturation and skin color. It was also observed that, by means of face expression, body movement, and crying, that infants tried to communicate their feelings.