NRP: Neonatal Resuscitation Program® FAQs

Sep 8, 2023 Ultrassist

NRP: Neonatal Resuscitation Program®

NRP is an educational program that introduces the concepts and skills of neonatal resuscitation. NRP is designed to teach individuals and teams who may need to resuscitate a newborn.

Neonatal resuscitation, also known as newborn resuscitation, is an emergency procedure used primarily to support the approximately 10% of newborns who are unable to begin breathing immediately, potentially causing irreversible organ damage and death. Through positive airway pressure and, in severe cases, chest compressions, medical personnel certified in neonatal resuscitation can usually stimulate the neonate to begin spontaneous respiration and subsequently normalize the heart rate.

Refer to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonatal_resuscitation

The Neonatal Resuscitation Program® (NRP®) curriculum communicates an evidence-based approach to postnatal care of newborns at birth and promotes effective team-based care for healthcare professionals caring for newborns at the time of delivery. The NRP utilizes a blended learning approach that includes online tests and hands-on case-based simulations/briefings focusing on key leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

➤ What are the goals of a neonatal resuscitation program?

Learning objectives

Recognize signs and symptoms of neonatal cardiopulmonary distress. Explain the indications for neonatal resuscitation and perform the resuscitation steps. Perform effective airway management, including mask ventilation, endotracheal intubation, and use of a T-resuscitator.

➤ What are the four components of neonatal resuscitation?

The key elements of successful neonatal resuscitation include: ventilating the lungs while minimizing injury; judicious use of oxygen to improve pulmonary blood flow; circulatory support through chest compressions; and the use of vasopressors and volumes to accelerate the return of voluntary circulation.

➤ What is the most important step in neonatal resuscitation?

Ventilation of the infant's lungs is the most important and effective step in neonatal resuscitation. Before starting chest compressions, rescuers should ensure that assisted ventilation is optimized.

➤ What are the three questions to ask for NRP?

The initial evaluation may occur during the interval between the birth of the infant and the closure of the umbilical cord. You will quickly ask three questions: (1) Does the infant appear to be full-term; (2) Does the infant have good muscle tone; and (3) Is the infant breathing or crying?

➤ In NRP, how long does it take to perform a cycle of 3 compressions and 1 breath?

2 seconds

With a 3:1 ratio of compressions to ventilation, each set of 3 compressions and 1 breath should take 2 seconds, resulting in 120 "events" per minute.

➤ Is CPR in children 15 or 30 compressions?

Repeat rescue breaths and chest compressions until the child recovers or a rescuer arrives. If there is only one rescuer, a child receiving CPR should take two breaths after every 30 chest compressions. If there are two rescuers, two breaths should be given after every 15 chest compressions.

➤ How many chest compressions for NRP?

90 compressions per minute

Current NRP guidelines recommend a chest compression rate of 90 compressions per minute coordinated with 30 ventilations per minute, which equals 120 events per minute. This is delivered using a 3:1 compression: ventilation (C:V) ratio which comprises 3 compressions followed by 1 ventilation every 2 seconds.

➤ Why is NRP important?

NRP training equips healthcare professionals with expertise in neonatal resuscitation. Participants will learn the unique physiology and challenges associated with neonatal resuscitation, including assessing and managing neonatal respiratory distress or failure.

➤ Does NRP only apply to nurses?

This includes physicians, nurses, advanced practice nurses, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse midwives, respiratory therapists, and other health care professionals who provide direct care during neonatal resuscitation.