If you were born in 1954 or after, your first test done on you shortly after birth is called the Apgar score. The score is named after its founder Dr. Virginia Apgar who was an obstetrical anesthesiologist that was interested in the effects in anesthesia while a mother was in labor. This interest led her to the discovery of the Apgar score. Virginia Apgar was born in 1909 in Westfield, New Jersey (Rose, 2009). She attended Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and then went and studied medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York in the 1930’s (Rose, 2009). At the time of a stock market crash in 1929, Virginia Apgar was heading to the College of Physicians and Surgeons and was in a financial crisis. She had to borrow money from family friends to attend and graduated $4,000 in debt (Pearce, 2005). She was discouraged from her surgical internship since so many women have failed at a male dominant specialty that was crowded and competitive. She was then persuaded into anesthesiology after her ability was recognized by another physician. Virginia Apgar went into anesthesiology at a time it was done by mostly nurses. By 1945, anesthetics were then mostly given by doctors than nurses (Pearce, 2005). She threatened to resign when anesthesiologists were not allowed to charge professional fees; the conflict resolved. Dr. Virginia Apgar had an interest in obstetrical anesthesia, studying the effects it had on the mother and unborn child since fetal monitors were not yet invented and newborns were not given the attention right after birth like they are today. Virginia Apgar was determined on how to best evaluate newborn health and survival rates right after birth. Discovering the Apgar S... ... middle of paper ... ... woman to her work, from birth defects to public health education, and fundraising for research. She brought great contributions not only to obstetrical health, but to public health as well. References National Library of Medicine. (2003).Changing the Face of Medicine: Virginia Apgar. Retrieved January 21, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_12.html. NIH Medline Plus. 2010. Dr. Virginia Apgar: Keeping Score at Baby’s First Cry. Retrieved February 15, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter10/articles/winter10pg25-26.html. Pearce, J. (2005). Virginia Apgar (1909-1974): neurological evaluation of the newborn infant. European Neurology, 54(3), 132-134. Rose, D. (2009). March of Dimes. Virginia Apgar. Retrieved January 21, 2014, from http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/virginia-apgar.aspx.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the apgar score is named after its founder dr. virginia agar, an obstetrical anesthesiologist who was interested in the effects of anesthesia while a mother was in labor.
- Explains that virginia apgar was born in 1909 in westfield, new jersey. she attended mount holyoke college in massachusetts and then studied medicine at columbia university in the 1930s.
- Explains dr. virginia apgar's interest in obstetrical anesthesia, studying the effects it had on the mother and unborn child since fetal monitors were not yet invented and newborns weren't given attention right after birth.
- Explains that the apgar score is a quick test that is done to determine the newborn's condition.
- Explains that apgar is an acronym for what is tested. it measures a-apperance, p-pulse, g-grimace response, aactivity and muscle tone, and r-respiration.
- Explains dr. apgar was the first one to successfully catheterize a newborn's umbilical artery to measure pressure, which helped assess the effects of maternal anesthesia on the newborn.
- Narrates how the director of march of dimes promoted the rubella vaccine after an outbreak of birth defects and infant deaths, and effective use of rh immune globulin (rhogam) in pregnant women.
- Narrates how the march of dimes' 15 years of education, research, publications, and program development led to the first committee on perinatal health, which planned for 4 years to improve maternal-fetal health.
- Explains that virginia apgar died in 1974, was memorialized on a postage stamp issued by the american academy of pediatrics, and was inducted into the national women’s hall of fame.
- Explains dr. virginia apgar made a great impact in the medical field. she was devoted to her work, from birth defects to public health education and fundraising for research.
- Cites the national library of medicine's changing the face of medicine: virginia apgar. nih medline plus. 2010.
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- Apgar Scoresexplanatory essayWhen a newborn first enters the world, doctors perform a set of tests to ensure that the newborn is adjusting to the outside world well. These scores are known as Apgar scores. Apgar scores were developed in 1952 by Virginia Apgar and are now used throughout the entire world. These scores are used to quickly determine the condition of newborn after birth and ensure that the newborn is healthy and responding appropriately. Apgar scores can also determine neonatal survival and predict neurological development. Apgar is sometimes used as an acronym for: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace response, Activity, Respiration. The doctors test and score the babies one minute after birth and then again at five minutes.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that apgar scores are used to determine the condition of newborn after birth and ensure that the newborn is healthy and responding appropriately.
- Explains that apgar scores observe five characteristics: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and color. a score of 7-10 is normal and indicates that the baby is in good condition.
266 wordsRead More - Apgar: A Newborn's Healthexplanatory essayThe Apgar is an assessment of a newborn's health by checking the systems needed to sustain life. The Apgar is scored in five different categories. The Apgar scores the child's heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin tone. These five categories are scored one minute and five minutes after the newborn is delivered. The categories are scored by a minimum score of zero and a maximum score of two. The scores of all the categories are then added together to obtain the final Apgar score. If the category that is being examined is weak, then that category will be given a score of zero. If the category that is being examined is strong, then the category will be give a score of two. If the newborn is given a total score that is seven
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the apgar is an assessment of a newborn's health by checking the systems needed to sustain life.
- Explains that pediatricians and other child-development specialists sometimes administer the neonatal behavioral assessment scale or nbas. the scale has 28 behavioral items and 18 reflex items.
339 wordsRead More - Five-Minute Apgar Assessment Essayexplanatory essayAPGAR scores range from zero to two for each condition with a maximum final total score of ten. At the one minute APGAR, scores between seven and ten indicate that the baby will need only routine post delivery care. Scores between four and six indicate that some assistance for breathing might be required. Scores under four can call for prompt, lifesaving
In this essay, the author
- Explains that william's obstetrics twenty-second ed. cunningham, f. gary, et al., provides information about the baby’s physical health, and helps the physician determine if immediate or future medical treatment will be required.
- Explains that apgar scores range from zero to two for each condition with a maximum final total score of ten.
- Explains that at the five minute apgar, a score of seven to ten is normal. if the score falls below seven, the baby will continue to be monitored and retested every five minutes for up to twenty minutes.
- Explains that babies can get gonorrhea from their mothers during delivery, which causes an eye infection called ophthalmia neonatorum in newborns.
- Explains that vitamin k is necessary for our bodies to activate certain molecules that help the blood to clot.
- Explains that the newborn and infant physical examination is increasingly done by nipe-trained midwives in many hospitals.
- Argues that the introduction of the discharge nurse does increase patient and nurse satisfaction. the focussed education model would provide new mothers with knowledge to boost their confidence and diminish concerns about inability to function after discharge.
624 wordsRead More - Labor and Delivery Nursingexplanatory essay...e baby still seems to have too much fluid in his or hers mouth or nose, the nurse may do further suctioning at this time. At one and five minutes after birth, an Apgar assessment will be done to evaluate the baby's heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflex response, and color. If the baby is doing well, the mother and the baby will not be separated. The nurse will come in from time to time to change diapers, check the babies temperature, and perform other tasks while the baby spends time with his or her mother and father (B. C. Board).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that labor and delivery nurses have vast knowledge of the process and methods that are required for delivery and bring a new life into the world and are educated with the responsibilities of assiting the new born babies with their medical issues.
- Explains that the nursing field is always growing, with people wanting to persuade the career of bring new life into the world.
- Describes the duties of a labor and delivery nurse. they must have at least 1 year of experience and obtain federal, state and ghr credentials on file.
- Explains that the field of labor and delivery has drastically changed over the years past. in the middle ages, women were not allowed to practice midwifery or medicine.
- Explains that natural birth is the process where a woman doesn't ask the nurse for any medication for pain. medicated childbirth or analgesics are the most common birth process.
- Explains that labor is progressing too slowly, waters break early causing the baby to be exposed to some type of infection, diabetes, or diabetes.
- Explains that placenta is detached from the wall of the uterus and labor can be induced by rupturing the membrane surrounding the baby. a caesarean section is also a common birthing method.
- Opines that home births are safer and successful than delivering at the hospital.
- Explains that the cervix is closed and plugged with mucus, to keep out infection, and is in a position that points slightly towards the back, which is known as posterior position.
- Explains that the 3rd stage of birth begins once the baby is delivered and the placenta is ready for delivery.
- Explains that labor and delviery nursing is a great career to pursue. it comes with knowledge but with time and patience, anyone can persuade it.
1989 wordsRead More - The AGPAR: Five Categories Of Gender Differencesexplanatory essayThe AGPAR is a test ran on newborns shortly after a mother has given birth. There are two rounds of testing: one minute after the baby was born and five minutes after birth. The APGAR determines if the baby is functioning normally and healthily. There are five categories that are looked at and are rated on a scale between zero and two. A zero signifies an absence or abnormal level, and a two signifies that the baby is in perfect health. It is ideal to make sure that a baby has a score of all two’s in each category.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the agpar is a test run on newborns shortly after birth and determines if the baby is functioning normally and healthily.
- Explains the five categories to check: breathing effort, skin color, reflexes, muscle tone, and heart rate.
- Explains that an abnormal result in any of these categories can indicate something within the body is not developed or not functioning properly. abnormalities typically occur in premature births, and the closer to full term a baby was, the higher their chances of being in ideal health.
225 wordsRead More - Neonatology Essayexplanatory essayIn the year 1975 neonatology became official. The American Board of Pediatrics recognized neonatology, it is now formally called it Neonatal-Prenatal Medicine, through the formation of the Sub-board of NPM also by administering the first certification examination in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. In the same year, the American Academy of Pediatrics introduced the Section on Perinatal Pediatrics as the medical home for specialists in this field. At first, to be eligible for the examination, the American Board of Pediatrics would required individuals to document either 5 years of practice...
In this essay, the author
- Explains the evolution of neonatology interest in the care of newborn babies has seen many different changes over the past century. it began in late 1800s as attempt to support small and fragile premature babies using modified incubators.
- Explains how neonatology was created by alexander shafer in the 1960s and later by william silverman, who introduced the scientific rigor of the randomized controlled trial into neonatal research.
- Explains that neonatology became officially recognized in 1975 by the american board of pediatrics. the section on perinatal pediatrics became the medical home for specialists in this field.
- Explains that neonatologists cared for 2% of babies, compared to 10% today. after remarkable advances in neonatal outcomes followed, hospitals began providing them on staff.
- Explains that neonatologists began practicing in community hospitals instead of university based centers. pediatricians began requesting them to retain formally ill premature babies and assume care for babies 30 to 36 weeks in age range.
- Explains that neonatologists engaged in a wide variety of practice types, from highly structured, university-based programs to small, on-the-job training programs.
- Explains that neonatologists are spending a majority of their clinical work to non-intensive care, while others have mixed with general pediatricians, advance-practice nurses, and physician assistants.
- Analyzes how demographic trends in medicine and pediatrics resulted in a workforce of nearly equal numbers of men and women, with females having the majority of pediatric residents and neonatologists entering training.
783 wordsRead More - A Career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetistexplanatory essayAmerican Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company, 1994. Print.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the certified registered nurse anesthetist (crna) is a registered nurse that specializes in delivering anesthesia during surgery and other procedures, as well as monitoring vital signs and maintaining the patient's airway.
- Explains that to become a crna, one must first obtain licensure and have at least one year of critical care experience. there are no scholarly programs for becoming certified in subspecialties.
- Explains that nurse anesthetists have a scope of practice they have to stay within just like any other profession in the medical field.
- Explains the conditions that a crna works in depend on the type of procedure being done. the environment they work in changes from day to day.
- Explains that the nurse anesthesia field's salary is one of the highest of advanced nursing careers, and that it is placed under therapeutic services within the health science career cluster.
- Explains that the nurse anesthetist has a variety of educational steps to go through before being considered competent enough to deliver anesthesia.
- Cites american association of nurse anesthetists' professional aspects of nursing anesthesia practice. philadelphia: f. a. davis company.
1106 wordsRead More - Neonatal Nursingexplanatory essayNeonatal nursing is a field of nursing designed especially for both newborns and infants up to 28 days old. The term neonatal comes from neo, "new", and natal, "pertaining to birth or origin”. Neonatal nurses are a vital part of the neonatal care team. These are trained professionals who concentrate on ensuring that the newborn infants under their care are able to survive whatever potential life threatening event they encounter. They treat infants that are born with a variety of life threatening issues that include instances of prematurity, congenital birth defects, surgery related problems, cardiac malformations, severe burns, or acute infection. Neonatal care in hospitals was always done by the nursing staff but it did not officially become a specialized medical field until well into 1960s. This was due to the numerous advancements in both medical care training and related technology that allowed for the improved treatment and survival rate of premature babies. According to the March of Dimes, one of every thirteen babies born in the United States annually suffers from low birth weight. This is a leading cause in 65% of infant deaths. Therefore, nurses play a very important role in providing round the clock care for these infants, those born with birth defects or other life threatening illness. In addition, these nurses also tend to healthy babies while their mothers recover from the birthing process. Prior to the advent of this specialized nursing field at risk newborn infants were mostly cared for by obstetricians and midwives who had limited resources to help them survive (Meeks 3).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that neonatal nursing is a field of nursing designed for both newborns and infants up to 28 days old.
- Explains that neonatal nurses need a deep sincere desire to care for babies at the threshold of death. they also need to be calm and focused when confronted with an emergency.
- Explains that neonatal nursing has three distinct levels: a healthy newborn nursery, intermediate care or special care nursery. level iii nurses are assigned to work in the nicu (neonatal intensive care unit).
- Explains that neonatal nurses work in level ii nurseries with less acute infants. they expect the hospital environment to be clean and well lit. long hours and intense nursing demands can cause burnout for some nurses.
- Explains the requirements for becoming a neonatal nurse, including pre-qualification, and the length of time one spends in school to become an rn, depending on the degree they wish to obtain.
- Explains that neonatal critical care nurses must become certified by the aacn certification corporation, a subsidiary of the american association of critical care nurses.
- Explains that neonatal nurse salaries vary depending on location, level of experience, and degree of education. since there is a shortage of nurses in the united states, the future outlook for this career is excellent.
- Explains that neonatal nursing allows one to make a difference in the lives of infants and their families.
- Explains that neonatal nursing involves intense and critical situations, but when rewarded with a smile or tiny fingers, they know they have the best job in the world.
- Explains nursing salaries and career opportunities at all nursing schools. all star directories inc., web. 28 feb. 2011.
1506 wordsRead More - Osteogenesis Imperfectaexplanatory essayMcMillan, Julia A., Ralph D. Feigin, Catherine DeAngelis, and M. Douglas Jones. Oski's Pediatrics, Principles & Practice. Williams & Wilkins, 2006.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, is a rare genetic disorder with the main characteristic being that the bones break very easily, usually for no apparent reason.
- Explains that type i of oi is the most common, comprising 70% of all cases. bruising will occur very easily in this type, and osteoporosis will be present.
- Explains that type ii of oi accounts for approximately 10% of all cases. it is always lethal in the fetus.
- Explains that type iii of oi makes up 15% of all cases. this is the next in severity after type ii, and the type most known to radiologists and orthopedic surgeons.
- Explains that type iv of oi is much rarer, comprising only 5% of cases. the bones may appear normal at the time of the first fracture, and individuals with this type can go through fracture-free periods.
- Opines that when making a decision about surgery, it is more important to assess the severity of bone fragility, the number of fracture incidences, and the function level of the patient than looking at just the type of oi.
- Explains that osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare and destructive genetic disorder that affects approximately 20,000 to 50,000 people in the united states.
- Describes how a team of researchers, led by david russell, developed targeted gene therapy to slow the mutations in the genes.
- Describes how the team collected mscs from crushed bone samples that had been left from surgical procedures. they deactivated the cells with the modified virus and cultured them for two weeks.
- Explains that bone marrow and mscs have been used in past clinical oi trials. in one such trial, the team transplanted the bones of healthy siblings into three children suffering from the disease.
- Explains that gene-marked mscs were used to treat six children with severe oi and who had undergone bone marrow transplants. six months later five of the patients showed engraftment in at least one site, including skin and bone, and a quickening of growth velocity.
- Opines that while these studies seem to show improvement in the patients, the researchers agreed that the results were imprecise and did not permit a definitive evaluation. patients would have to be closely monitored over the next seven years.
- Explains that plain radiography captures most of the characteristics of oi. full length radiographs of legs from the hips to the ankles will help determine areas of fractures and levels of deformity.
- Explains that a bone density scan (dexa) is helpful in monitoring any changes in bones. the scan uses aged-matched z-scores and uses the same technique and machine type systematically.
- Recommends that different types of physicians be consulted when trying to diagnose or treat osteogenesis imperfecta, such as hematologists, orthopedic surgeons, and other agencies.
- Cites chapter 37 of operative techniques in orthopaedic surgery, ed. sam wiesel.
1303 wordsRead More - Pediatric Anesthesiology Reportopinionated essayThroughout my training in anesthesiology, I have been wondering why pediatric anesthesiology is such a small part of the ACGME curriculum even though they represent - at least - one third of the population. When it comes to our children, we want the best care possible, superior to what we wish for ourselves. It has been a frequent event that I receive a call from a friend asking about the upcoming procedure that their offspring is scheduled for; what are the best options and consequences expected. Postoperative care, pain, nausea and suffering have been a frequent concern of the patient and family and it makes a significant difference in the patient stress levels that could have long-time consequences. Seeking answers made me realize, pediatric
In this essay, the author
- Opines that pediatric anesthesiology is a small part of the acgme curriculum even though they represent at least one third of population.
153 wordsRead More