How would you describe a neonate with meconium staining, a heart rate of 110/minute, and strong respiratory effort?

A neonate with meconium staining, a heart rate of 110 beats per minute, and strong respiratory effort would be described as vigorous. The term "vigorous" is used in this context to indicate a neonate who is actively breathing and has good muscle tone, which is reflected in the strong respiratory effort and an adequate heart rate.

Meconium staining occurs when the fetus has passed meconium in utero, and it can be associated with complications; however, the key indicators of "vigorous" status are the heart rate and respiratory efforts. A heart rate above 100 beats per minute is typically considered reassuring, indicating that the neonate is not in distress. Strong respiratory effort further supports this classification, as it demonstrates the neonate's ability to initiate breathing effectively.

In contrast, if the neonate had shown a poor heart rate or weak respiratory effort, it would have suggested a "non-vigorous" status, indicating that the neonate may need immediate assistance. Other terms such as "small for gestational age" and "macrosomia" refer to the size of the infant relative to gestational age and do not pertain to the assessment of the infant's immediate respiratory or cardiac status. Understanding these definitions helps