The Newborn Assessment from Coursera

In your previous course, you learned some medical interventions and skills to keep newborns healthy in the days and weeks after they have been born. In this course, you will learn what some additional skills that medical providers do to keep babies healthy. The Newborn Assessment Course will walk you through the physical examination from head to toe. You are going to learn that this is so much we can discover just by looking at a baby. And yes, we will be listening too, and discussing how medical equipment, such as a stethoscope or a pulse oximeter, can help in your exam. You will begin to be able to distinguish some normal findings from some abnormal findings.

A newborn baby is an amazing beautiful life filled with hope. There is so much that goes into making sure that babies are born healthy, and so much more to think about after they are born. Whether you are in the health care field, or even a parent, this course is the perfect educational opportunity for you to keep newborn babies healthy in the days and weeks after they are born!

What's inside

Syllabus

Newborn Exam: Assessment from Head to Toe

In all of the modules up until this one, we have discussed abnormalities or illnesses of newborns. In order to understand and recognize what is not normal, it is worthwhile to be clear on what is normal. In this module, Dr. Kohn will demonstrate how to examine a very well newborn. Aside from the obvious size differences and the unbelievable cuteness of newborns relative to adults, there are the influences of fetal development and transition that impact the newborn exam. Keep in mind that your exam may be the first physical evaluation that this baby has in its life!

Ensure heart health

Our task as providers of health care to newborns is to detect which of the many seemingly well babies has an underlying health care problem that needs to be addressed. Previously, we reviewed the screening method that we use to look for critical congenital heart disease. In this module, we will cover the surveillance technique, that is, the physical findings that should make us suspect a newborn might have congenital heart disease.

Ensure lung health

In this module, we will first identify normal components of the respiratory exam. We will use this information to recognize “abnormal” respiratory exams in newborns, meaning recognition of physical exam findings consistent with respiratory distress. Then, we will use the information we learned about the respiratory exam to work through a case of a newborn with respiratory distress

Diagnose common illnesses in the first month

Nearly 41% of children who die under the age of 5 are less than 28 days old. The first month of life is a particularly vulnerable time for these little ones. In this module, you will learn some signs or symptoms that are concerning in newborns in the first month of life, and that need medical attention. You will also learn some common findings that are concerning to parents, but not concerning medically. Those are conditions for which reassurance and/or watchful waiting is appropriate. Distinguishing between concerning and benign conditions will help you ensure the safety and health of newborn babies!

Assess a neonate for common skin concerns

In this module, we will learn all about newborn skin. This module will cover the basic terminology to describe different skin conditions and will help you recognize the most common newborn rashes and lesions that present in the first month of life. This is also where we will cover a few of the “must not miss” skin diagnoses that require further management by a dermatologist or medical professional.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores normal and abnormal findings in newborns, equipping students to identify potential health issues

Taught by medical professionals with expertise in newborn care, providing learners with up-to-date knowledge

Covers a wide range of topics relevant to newborn assessment, from head-to-toe exam to common illnesses

Provides clear instructions on physical examination techniques, enabling learners to develop practical skills

Suitable for both healthcare professionals and parents seeking knowledge about newborn health

Reviews summary

Highly recommended newborn assessment course

Learners say this course offers excellent, informative, and helpful content. The course is well-received by learners, especially for healthcare professionals and parents. The course is praised for its clear explanations, well-presented lectures, and engaging assignments. Learners also highlight the knowledgeable, amazing instructors and the practical information provided. Overall, students are very satisfied with the course and highly recommend it.

Well-presented lectures with engaging assignments.

"The course is well-received by learners, especially for healthcare professionals and parents."

"Well-presented lectures, and engaging assignments."

As a soon-to-be parent, it is helping me to understand my future newborn child.

"Also useful for the parents."

"As a soon-to-be parent, it is helping me to understand my future newborn child."

Excellent course with clear, straight-forward topics.

"The topics are clear and straight-forward, I cannot find a single defect..."

Very good course for medical students, residents, family physicians, nurses, medical assistants, paediatricians and other healthcare professionals.

"Very good course for medical students, residents, family physicians, nurses, medical assistants, paediatricians and other healthcare professionals."

"Also useful for the parents."

The instructors are just amazing in the way they talk, they interact with us, they deliver the info.

"The instructors are just amazing in the way they talk, they interact with us, they deliver the info."

"Really this course is amazing and I gained a lot of experience..."

Very helpful and meaningful course!

"Very helpful and meaningful course !"

"Very informative I would more pictures or videos to easier identify some conditions that might be present in newborns"

Incredibly information-dense (which is great) and provides really useful and practical information.

"It is incredibly information-dense (which is great) and provides really useful and practical information..."

"....provides really useful and practical information and advice..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Newborn Assessment with these activities:

Conduct Practice Examination Checking

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Practice your newborn assessment skills to solidify learning of the steps and gain confidence in your abilities.

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Obtain all necessary equipment. This includes a stethoscope, pulse oximeter, and a timer.
Perform a head-to-toe examination of a newborn baby. This includes checking the baby's vital signs, skin, and reflexes.
Record your findings in a chart or on a computer.
Compare your findings to the normal values for newborns.
Identify any abnormalities that you find and discuss them with your instructor or a more experienced healthcare provider.

Follow tutorials on newborn resuscitation

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Newborn resuscitation is a critical skill for healthcare providers. Following tutorials will help you learn the steps and techniques involved.

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Find reputable tutorials on newborn resuscitation from organizations like the American Heart Association or the European Resuscitation Council
Watch the tutorials carefully and take notes on the key steps
Practice the techniques on a simulator or with a partner
Attend a newborn resuscitation training course if possible

Mentor new nurses or medical students in newborn care

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Mentoring others will reinforce your knowledge and understanding of newborn care while also helping to develop the next generation of healthcare providers.

Browse courses on Newborn Care

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Identify a new nurse or medical student who is interested in learning more about newborn care
Share your knowledge and experience with them
Provide guidance and support as they develop their skills
Get regular feedback from your mentee to ensure that they are benefiting from your support

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Career center

Learners who complete The Newborn Assessment will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Neonatal Nurse

Neonatal Nurses provide care to ill or premature babies who require specialized medical attention. The Newborn Assessment course can be particularly useful for Neonatal Nurses as it delves into the physical examination of newborns, helping them to identify potential health issues and make informed decisions about their care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neonatal Nurse

Pediatrician

Pediatricians are medical doctors who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. The Newborn Assessment course can provide Pediatricians with a comprehensive understanding of the physical examination of newborns, helping them to assess their overall health and well-being.

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Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners provide primary care to infants, children, and adolescents. The Newborn Assessment course is highly relevant for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners as it provides them with the knowledge and skills to assess and care for newborns effectively.

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Certified Nurse Midwife

Certified Nurse Midwives provide care to women throughout their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum period. The Newborn Assessment course can be particularly valuable for Certified Nurse Midwives as it equips them with the skills to assess newborns and identify potential health concerns.

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Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioners provide primary care to individuals and families across the lifespan. The Newborn Assessment course can be beneficial for Family Nurse Practitioners as it covers the assessment of newborns, enabling them to provide comprehensive care to newborns and their families.

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Neonatal Physician Assistant

Neonatal Physician Assistants work under the supervision of neonatologists to provide care to critically ill or premature infants. The Newborn Assessment course can be highly beneficial for Neonatal Physician Assistants as it covers the comprehensive assessment of newborns, helping them to assist in the diagnosis and management of various health conditions.

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Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses provide care to patients in various healthcare settings, including newborns. The Newborn Assessment course can enhance the skills of Registered Nurses by providing them with a thorough understanding of newborn assessment techniques, enabling them to provide optimal care to this vulnerable population.

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Childbirth Educator

Childbirth Educators provide education and support to expectant parents. The Newborn Assessment course can be helpful for Childbirth Educators as it provides insights into the assessment of newborns, enabling them to better prepare parents for the postpartum period and the care of their newborns.

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Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists help individuals improve their physical function and mobility. The Newborn Assessment course may provide Physical Therapists with insights into the physical development of newborns and potential movement limitations, enabling them to tailor therapy interventions to address these needs.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists assess and treat individuals with speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The Newborn Assessment course may provide valuable information for Speech-Language Pathologists as it covers the assessment of newborns and potential feeding difficulties, which can impact speech and language development.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists assist individuals in performing日常生活活动. The Newborn Assessment course could be beneficial for Occupational Therapists as it provides an understanding of newborn development and potential physical challenges, allowing them to develop appropriate interventions to support their development.

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Genetic Counselor

Genetic Counselors provide information and support to individuals and families affected by genetic conditions. The Newborn Assessment course may be useful for Genetic Counselors as it provides an understanding of newborn screening and potential genetic abnormalities, enabling them to provide informed counseling to families.

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Developmental Pediatrician

Developmental Pediatricians specialize in the care of children with developmental delays or disabilities. The Newborn Assessment course could be helpful for Developmental Pediatricians as it provides a comprehensive overview of newborn assessment techniques, enabling them to identify potential developmental concerns early on.

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Lactation Consultant

Lactation Consultants provide support and guidance to breastfeeding mothers. The Newborn Assessment course could be helpful for Lactation Consultants as it covers topics such as newborn feeding and potential breastfeeding challenges, enabling them to provide informed advice and support to mothers.

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Early Intervention Specialist

Early Intervention Specialists provide services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. The Newborn Assessment course may provide Early Intervention Specialists with a foundation in newborn assessment and potential developmental concerns, enabling them to develop appropriate interventions for these young children.

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