Hi Kgentry, I am studying for my LVN, and I can help you. First, The initial neonatal data collection involves detecting abnormalities and keeping accurate records. Monitor the neonate's vital signs. Take the first temperature by the rectal route to determine whether the rectal is patent. Temperature obtained by this route must be done gently to prevent injury to the rectal mucosa. Take the apical pulse for 60 seconds (normal rae is 120 tp 160 beats/minute. Count respirations with a stethoscope for 60 seconds.( normal rate is 30 to 60 breaths/ minute. Continue collecting data on the neonate by using the Apgar score criteria even after 5-minutes score is received. The Apgar scoring system provides a way to evaluate the neonate's cardiopulmonary and neurologic status. The assessment is performed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth and repeated every 5 minutes until the infants stabilizies. A score 8 to 10 indicates that the neonate is in no apparent distress; a score below 8 indicates that resuscitative meausres may be needed.Neonates vital signs parameters are ( up to 96 hours). Heart Rate.( awake): 100-180. ( Sleeping) : 80-160. Blood Pressure ( systolic:) 60-90 ( diastolic): 20-60. Respiratry Rate> 30-60. * Caloric Requirements in a normal Neonate is 100-120 calories/kg/day. State of Consciousness in the infant. 1. Deep sleep) a.) Still except for occassional startles or twitches. 2. Light sleep a.) Largest proportion of an infant's sleep. e. Drowsy sleep a.) Irregular breathing b.) delayed responses to stimuli. c.) The infant's eyes appear heavy-lidded and have a dull, glazed appearance. d.) Can be stimulated to be more alert by providing something for the the infant to see, hear and suck. 4. Quiet-Alert. a.) The infant is interested in their enviroment and focuses attention on the caregiver. This is the best stage for parent/child interaction. b.) Wide, very bright eyes. c.) Regular breathing d.) Minimal body activity. e.) Focus on objects, movement or other stimuli. 5. Active-Alert a.) Increased body activity. b.) Fussiness. C.) Increased sensivity to disturbing stimuli such as noise, excessive handling. d.) Irregular breathing. e.) Increased facial movement, f.) Primary means of communication is through crying. f.) Primary means of communication is through crying.- Soothing measures for crying include sucking, talking to infants, rocking touching, and swaddling. Pain in the infant- Behavioral clues to pain in the infant includes: Irritability and restllessness, Lethargy, Poor feeding, Disturbed sleep pattern, tachycardia, and increased respiratory distress. Play and the infant.1. Social affective play a.) interactive with people. Sense pleasure a.) Derives pleasure from the enviroment, including lights, bells and color. a.) deervives pleasure from own body-plays with hands and feet. Parenting the infant 1. The infant's anxiety level will decrease if the parent's anxiety level can be decreased. 2. Encourage parents to visit and participate in a constructive manner in their child's care. Weighing babies- 1. The babies has to be naked Cloth underneath , zero out the scale, which are measured in kilograms- 2. Measurements in centimeters. 3. Don't round off, go further than you can go. 4. When you measure the haed, start from the eyebrow first. 4. Use the same scale, and head circumferance. 5. When you open up a can of formula, label it throw away open formula after 30 days. You have to measure each scoop of formula, with a scale, before measuring formala, zero out the scale, and use a dixie cup, to scoop out formula. Use formula within 24 hours, and use sterile water only!!. Hope this has been a help to you, by the way, I have worked in neonatal before as a hospital technician, it is a great speciality. I am also considering neonata nursingl myself, Good Luck!!!, and congratulations in becoming a high school graduate!!!!