What should you check if administering Survanta to a newborn?

When administering Survanta, a medication commonly used in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, monitoring oxygen saturation is crucial. Survanta is designed to replace deficient surfactant in the lungs of premature infants, which improves lung function and oxygen exchange. By checking oxygen saturation, healthcare providers can assess how effectively the newborn's lungs are responding to the treatment. This monitoring helps ensure that the infant is receiving sufficient oxygenation and can detect any potential complications or inadequate response to therapy.

While heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood glucose are important vital signs that should also be monitored in a newborn, the primary focus after administering Survanta is to ensure that adequate oxygenation is maintained, as this directly relates to the medication's purpose and expected outcome.