Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Thermoregulation & Neonatal Environment 2

Question 1

What is the primary physiologic mechanism newborns use to generate heat when cold-stressed?

Accepted Answer

Non-shivering thermogenesis via brown adipose tissue metabolism

Answer

Newborns generate heat primarily through non-shivering thermogenesis by metabolizing brown adipose tissue (BAT), located around the neck, scapulae, and adrenal glands.

Question 2

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is effective for thermoregulation primarily because it provides which type of heat transfer?

Accepted Answer

Conduction from direct skin-to-skin contact with the parent's chest

Answer

KMC transfers heat by conduction through direct skin-to-skin contact, stabilizing the newborn's temperature effectively.

Question 3

Which newborn is at greatest risk for impaired thermoregulation?

Accepted Answer

Late preterm infant born at 35 weeks with birth weight of 2.1 kg

Answer

Late preterm infants have less brown fat, thinner skin, and less subcutaneous fat than term infants, placing them at highest risk for thermoregulation problems.

Question 4

A newborn is placed under a radiant warmer after birth. What is the correct servo-control mode setting for skin temperature?

Accepted Answer

36.0–36.5°C (96.8–97.7°F)

Answer

In servo-control mode, the skin temperature probe target is set to 36.0–36.5°C to maintain a neutral thermal environment.

Question 5

Cold stress in a newborn most directly leads to which metabolic consequence?

Accepted Answer

Hypoglycemia due to increased glucose consumption for thermogenesis

Answer

Cold stress increases metabolic rate and glucose consumption during BAT thermogenesis, rapidly depleting neonatal glycogen stores and causing hypoglycemia.

Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Practice Test

Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Practice Test

Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Thermoregulation & Neonatal Environment 2