Neonatal sepsis (neonatal septicemia or sepsis neonatorum) is an infection in the blood that spreads throughout the body and occurs in a neonate. Neonatal Sepsis has two types:
Early-onset Sepsis
Onset of 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.
Late-onset Sepsis
The second type or the Late-onset Sepsis is acquired after delivery. This can be caused 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.
Signs and Symptoms
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,
- yellowish skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).
Possible complications are disability and worst is death of the neonate.
Nursing Care Plans
Here are 5 Neonatal Sepsis Nursing Care Plans and nursing diagnosis:
- Hyperthermia
- Fluid Volume Deficit
- Ineffective Tissue Perfusion
- Interrupted Breastfeeding
- Risk for Impaired Parent/Infant Attachment
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
Patient may manifest
- Irritability
- Weakness
- Temperature above normal level (36 oC)
- Skin warm to touch
- Presence of tachycardia (above 160 bpm)
- Presence of tachypnea (above 60 bpm)
- WBC elevated
Nursing Diagnosis
- Hyperthermia related to inflammatory process/ hypermetabolic state as evidenced by an increase in body temperature, warm skin and tachycardia
Outcomes
- Patient will maintain normal core temperature as evidenced by vital signs within normal limits and normal WBC level
- Patient will still maintain normal core temperature as evidenced by normal vital signs and normal laboratory results.
Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
---|---|
Monitor neonate’s condition. | To determine the need for intervention and the effectiveness of therapy. |
Monitor vital signs | To have a baseline data |
Provide TSB | Helps in lowering down the temperature |
Ensure that all equipment used for infant is sterile, scrupulously clean. Do not share equipment with other infants | Prevents the spread of pathogens to the infant from equipment |
Administer antipyretics as ordered | Aids in lowering down temperature |
Recommended Resources
Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.
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- Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use. - Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively. - NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023Â (12th Edition)
The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales. - Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates. - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing. - Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans. - Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you. - Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023. - All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.
See also
Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:
- Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database
Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch. - Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.
Other care plans related to the care of the pregnant mother and her infant:
- Abruptio Placenta | 3Â Care Plan
- Abortion (Termination of Pregnancy) | 8 Care Plans UPDATED!
- Cesarean Birth | 10 Care Plans UPDATED!
- Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip | 6 Care Plans
- Dysfunctional Labor (Dystocia) |Â 4 Care Plans
- Gestational Diabetes Mellitus | 8 Care Plans UPDATED!
- Hyperbilirubinemia (Jaundice) | 4 Care Plans UPDATED!
- Labor Stages, Induced and Augmented Labor | 36 Care Plans UPDATED!
- Neonatal Sepsis | 5 Care Plans
- Perinatal Loss | 5 Care Plans
- Placenta Previa | 3 Care Plans
- Postpartum Hemorrhage | 8 Care Plans UPDATED!
- Postpartum Thrombophlebitis | 5 Care Plans UPDATED!
- Prenatal Hemorrhage | 9 Care Plans UPDATED!
- Prenatal Substance Dependence/Abuse | 6 Care Plans
- Precipitous Labor |Â 3 Care Plans
- Preeclampsia and Gestational Hypertension | 6 Care Plans UPDATED!
- Premature Dilation of the Cervix | 3 Care Plans
- Prenatal Infection | 3 Care Plans
- Preterm Labor | 7Â Care Plans UPDATED!
- Puerperal & Postpartum Infections | 5 Care Plans UPDATED!
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