Assessing a newborn as they transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life is a critical job for the nurse. The neonatal transition period is an important time for careful assessment, early recognition of neonatal distress, and initiation of proper management.

To do it competently, the nurse must know what normal newborn behavior is in order to recognize what is not normal. The nurse auscultates newborn heart tones quickly and efficiently and recognizes lung sounds that are normal.

neonatal transition period — an important time for careful assessment, early recognition of neonatal distress, and initiation of proper management. homeothermic — attempting stabilization internally despite significant temperature variations in the environment the neonate is presently in. second period of reactivity — third and final episode of neonatal behavior lasting about 2 to 8 hours, characterized by increased activity, alertness, oral secretions, and an interest in feeding and…. nonshivering thermogenesis — increase in metabolic heat production above the basal metabolism that is not associated with muscle activity.