Final answer:
The nurse conducting the Ballard gestational age assessment on a newborn will look at various physical criteria that contribute to determining the baby's maturity. This includes skin texture, physical and muscle development, as well as reflexes.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the physical characteristic portion of the Ballard gestational age assessment for baby boy Jefferys, the nurse will assess a variety of physical criteria that help in determining a newborn's maturity. These criteria often include skin texture, such as the presence of vernix caseosa and lanugo; the physical development such as ear cartilage firmness, sole creases formation; and other physical markers like breast tissue development, eye and eyelid development, and the recoil of the extremities. Additionally, the examination looks at body proportions, muscle tone, and reflex responses. It is important to note that while both the Ballard Score and the Apgar test assess physical characteristics such as muscle tone and reflexes, the Ballard Score is more detailed in terms of developmental assessment and is not the same as the Apgar test, which is a quicker evaluation of the newborn's immediate health post-delivery, focusing on criteria such as skin color, heart rate, reflexes, muscle tone, and respiration.