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Abstract Respiratory illness in a newborn is always potentially serious because of the importance of respiratory function (Pillitteri, 1987). In the newborn respiration differs from the adult in being more rapid more shallow and more irregular. This is due to lower pulmonary compliance and proportionately increased work of breathing (Halliday et al.,1989). Respiratory difficulties are responsible for most of the morbidity and mortality in neonatal period (0ehler,1981). Respiratory distress during infancy is unique in medicine. At no other age is minimal respiratory reserve and the possibility of rapid death or permanent disability so great (Merritt,1984). Early recognition and subsequent assessment of the neonates respiratory status may sustain their life (0ehler,1981). So, if the respiratory distress is assessed and treated correctly whether in the delivery room or the nursery, recovery is usually the outcome. When respiratory problems are handled inappropriately or too late,life-long neurologic and lung damage may result (Merritt,l984). No one can better make the first discovery of serious respiratory dysfunction than the nurse (Korones and Lancaster, 1986). Nurses play an important role in this process by detecting significant changes, giving appropriate supportive nursing care and by assisting with transferring the neonate to the intensive care unit when it is necessary. In order to function efficiently and effectively in the neonatal intensive care unit the nurse must be familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the neonatal lung, the etiology of respiratory difficulties,diagnosis, general management and related nursing care (Oehler, 1981). |