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Gestational Age Assessment — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Ballard score after birth

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Health Promotion & Maintenance 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Gestational Age Assessment on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Def

Key facts

Ballard = neuromuscular + physical maturity
Done within 12-24h of birth

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Terms

Key facts

Term = 37-42 wks
Preterm <37wk, post-term >42wk

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Signs

What to look for

Preterm → smooth soles, soft ear, lanugo
Term → flexed posture, sole creases
Post-term → peeling skin, long nails

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Do

Nursing actions

SGA/LGA → monitor hypoglycemia
Plot weight/length/HC on chart

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Quick Tip

The New Ballard Score combines physical maturity signs (skin, lanugo, plantar creases, breast, ear/eye, genitals) with neuromuscular signs (posture, square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle, scarf sign, heel-to-ear).

📖 Related Topics

Immunization Schedule Failure to Thrive Diabetic Diet High-Fiber Diet

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