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- Q What will NICU staff do when I'm rooming-in with my baby in the NICU?
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During the rooming-in experience in the NICU, hospital staff will be responsible for: Monitoring medication use according to physician’s orders. Making regular visits to the room to document the child’s status according to hospital... Full Answer
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- Q What will happen if my baby is in pain while in the NICU?
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Your caregivers will use several tools to help determine if your baby is in pain in the NICU. These tools are based on factors such as your baby’s vital signs, facial expression, body movements, skin color, and level of activity. The staff... Full Answer
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- Q Why might my baby be given a sedative while in the NICU?
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If your baby is on a ventilator in the NICU or has a chest tube in place, he may require a sedative -- a medication that will keep your baby calm. The amount of sedation needed by your baby will depend on his condition. Sedation medication will... Full Answer
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- Q How will my baby be fed in the NICU?
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Babies in the NICU often need extra help getting the nutrition they need to grow and develop. NPO and IV line: At first, your baby may be too small or too sick to take in any food by mouth -- this is called NPO. When your baby is NPO, she receives... Full Answer
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- Q How will my premature baby's skin be cared for in the NICU?
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Premature babies have fragile skin that is very thin and absorbent. Until the skin matures, it doesn’t offer a good protective barrier for your baby and needs to be handled with care to prevent tearing or bruising. Your baby’s... Full Answer
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- Q What lab tests will be done on my baby in the NICU?
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Many lab tests will be performed in the NICU to give your baby’s caregivers information about your baby’s condition. Blood samples may be taken and sent to the lab to measure the following: Complete blood count (CBC) to measure the... Full Answer
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- Q Why might my baby need an ultrasound scan in the NICU?
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An ultrasound picture is somewhat like an x-ray, except that it’s made by using sound waves that are directed at organs in the body. The sound waves produce different images that tell your doctor more about your baby’s tissues.... Full Answer
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- Q What types of pediatric specialists work in the NICU?
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The main day to day care in a NICU is provided by neonatologists who have completed 3 years of pediatric residency and 3 years of training in neonatology. Almost all of the other pediatric specialties and surgical specialties see patients in... Full Answer
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- Q What role does the medical director play in caring for my baby in the NICU?
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The person who supervises all of the neonatologists and physicians in training in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) is the medical director. If you are having a problem that cannot be solved by speaking with your doctor, ask to speak to the... Full Answer
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- Q What role do advance practice clinicians play in the NICU?
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Advance practice clinicians in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU), such as neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) and physician assistants (PAs), have advanced training in the care of newborn babies -- especially babies who are ill, premature,... Full Answer
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