A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 104
Glossary
and insufficient blood flow in the
other.
U
Ultrasound: An ultrasound takes
a picture of a baby’s organs using
sound waves, rather than X-rays.
A small hand-held device called
a transducer is rubbed back
and forth over the area that the
doctor wants to see. An ultrasound
examination is painless and done
at the baby’s incubator. It often is
done to determine if a baby has
any bleeding in the brain. A head
ultrasound or ‘head sonogram’
is the routine test to diagnose
bleeding in the brain.
Umbilical catheter: An Arterial
(UAC) or Venous (UVC) tube
inserted through the belly button
(umbilical cord) into the arterial
or venous blood vessels. Either
tube is used to give the baby fluids
and to draw blood samples. The
UAC is used to monitor the baby’s
blood pressure. If the baby requires
oxygen therapy, the UAC will be
used to draw blood gases and blood
samples.
Urine tests: Like blood tests, urine
tests can tell a great deal about a
baby’s overall condition. Urine tests
can help determine how well the
kidneys are functioning and whether
your baby has an infection.
Urologist: A specialist doctor trained
in diagnosing and treating conditions
involving the urinary system.
UTI: An abbreviation for urinary
tract infection.
V
Ventilation: A method of helping the
baby’s breathing using mechanical
support.
Ventilator: A machine that fills
a baby’s lungs with air and helps the
baby breathe. Also called
a respirator.
Ventricle: (1) A tiny chamber,
as in those of the heart. (2) Tiny
chambers in the middle of the brain
where cerebrospinal fluid is created.
Virus: A small infectious organism
that thrives in the cells of the body.
Vital signs: Vital signs include
the heartbeat, breathing rate,
temperature and blood pressure.
These signs may be watched,
measured, and monitored to check
an individual’s level of physical.
Vitamin K: Vitamin K is needed
for blood clotting and is given to a
baby at birth. Babies are born with
very small amounts of Vitamin K in
their bodies.
VLBW: Very low birth weight.
W
Weighing: A baby is weighed soon
after delivery and at least once a day
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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