New Ballard Scale
New Ballard Scale ( 5 Questions)
A client asks the nurse about the purpose of the New Ballard Scale.
How should the nurse respond?
It assesses the newborn’s cognitive development. The New Ballard Scale does not measure cognitive development, but rather physical and neuromuscular maturity.
It evaluates the baby’s physical strength and coordination. The New Ballard Scale does not measure strength and coordination, but rather physical characteristics such as skin, lanugo, plantar surface, breast, eye/ear, and genitals, and neuromuscular characteristics such as posture, square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle, scarf sign, and heel to ear.
It measures the newborn’s respiratory maturity. The New Ballard Scale does not measure respiratory maturity, but rather gestational age based on physical and neuromuscular criteria.
It determines the gestational age and identifies developmental risks. The New Ballard Scale is a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics. The scale can be used when there is no reliable obstetrical information or a major discrepancy between the estimated date of delivery and the infant’s appearance. The scale is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks and can be used up to 4 days after birth, but usually within the first 24 hours. The scale has been refined and expanded to include extremely premature neonates.
It determines the gestational age and identifies developmental risks. The New Ballard Scale is a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics. The scale can be used when there is no reliable obstetrical information or a major discrepancy between the estimated date of delivery and the infant’s appearance. The scale is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks and can be used up to 4 days after birth, but usually within the first 24 hours. The scale has been refined and expanded to include extremely premature neonates.
Choice A is wrong because it assesses the newborn’s cognitive development. The New Ballard Scale does not measure cognitive development, but rather physical and neuromuscular maturity.
Choice B is wrong because it evaluates the baby’s physical strength and coordination. The New Ballard Scale does not measure strength and coordination, but rather physical characteristics such as skin, lanugo, plantar surface, breast, eye/ear, and genitals, and neuromuscular characteristics such as posture, square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle, scarf sign, and heel to ear.
Choice C is wrong because it measures the newborn’s respiratory maturity. The New Ballard Scale does not measure respiratory maturity, but rather gestational age based on physical and neuromuscular criteria.