5 Neonatal Sepsis Nursing Care Plans

Nursing Care Plans |

Neonatal Sepsis is an infection in the blood that spreads throughout the body and occurs in a neonate. Neonatal Sepsis is also termed as Neonatal Septicemia and Sepsis Neonatorum. Neonatal Sepsis has 2 types: The one that is seen in the first week of life is termed as Early- onset sepsis and most often appears in the first 24 hours of life.

The infection is often acquired from the mother. This can be cause by a bacteria or infection acquired by the mother during her pregnancy, a Preterm delivery, Rupture of membranes (placenta tissue) that lasts longer than 24 hours, Infection of the placenta tissues and amniotic fluid (chorioamnionitis) and frequent vaginal examinations during labor. The second type or the Late-onset Sepsis is acquired after delivery. This can be cause by contaminated hospital equipment, exposure to medicines that lead to antibiotic resistance, having a catheter in a blood vessel for a long time, staying in the hospital for an extended period of time.

This post has 5 neonatal sepsis nursing care plans

Signs and symptoms of Neonatal Sepsis includes but is not limited to: body temperature changes, breathing problems, diarrhea, low blood sugar, reduced movements, reduced sucking, seizures, slow heart rate, swollen belly area, vomiting, yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). Possible complications are disability and worst is death of the neonate.

1 Hyperthermia

Due to the presence of an infectious agents, stimulation of the monocytes triggers the release of the pyrogenic cytokines that stimulate anterior hypothalamus which results in elevated thermoregulatory set point that leads to an increased heat conservation (Vasoconstriction) and increased heat production which results to fever.

Assessment

Nursing Diagnosis

Planning

Intervention

Rationale

Expected Outcome

Subjective: May manifest:

Irritability
Weakness

Objective:

The patient may manifest one or more of the following:

Temperature above normal level (36 ^oC)
Skin warm to touch
Presence of tachycardia (above 160 bpm)
Presence of tachypnea (above 60 bpm)
WBC elevated

Hyperthermia related to inflammatory process/ hypermetabolic state as evidenced by an increase in body temperature, warm skin and tachycardia

Short-term:After 30 minutes of nursing intervention the patient will maintain normal core temperature as evidenced by vital signs within normal limits and normal WBC levelLong Term:After 3 days of NI, pt will still maintain normal core temperature as evidenced by normal vital signs and normal laboratory results.

Independent1. Monitor neonate’s condition.2. Monitor Vital signs3. Provide TSB

Interdependent

4. Ensure that all equipment used for infant is sterile, scrupulously clean. Do not share equipment with other infants

Dependent

5. Administer Anti-pyretics as ordered

1. To determine the need for intervention and the effectiveness of therapy.2. To have a baseline data3. Helps in lowering down the temperature4. this would prevent the spread of pathogens to the infant from equipment

5. aids in lowering down temperature

The patient shall maintain normal core temperature as evidenced by normal vital signs and normal laboratory results.