What should a nurse expect when assessing a newborn with a prolonged delivery time?

When assessing a newborn who has experienced a prolonged delivery, respiratory distress is a significant concern. Prolonged labor can lead to several complications, including compromised oxygen supply, which may result in the newborn experiencing difficulty with breathing immediately after birth.

Factors such as fetal distress during labor, meconium aspiration syndrome, or retained fluid in the lungs can contribute to respiratory issues in a newborn. These complications may surface in the form of increased work of breathing, grunting, retractions, nasal flaring, or a decreased oxygen saturation level. Thus, respiratory distress would be an expected finding in a newborn post-prolonged delivery.

In contrast, decreased heart rate typically indicates fetal bradycardia, which is a different scenario that may not necessarily result from prolonged delivery. Active reflexes would suggest a normal neurological status rather than highlighting the specific concerns post-delivery. Normal temperature regulation can also be affected, but considering the immediate respiratory needs becomes a priority in cases of prolonged delivery. Hence, respiratory distress is the assessment finding the nurse should anticipate.