Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Thermoregulation & Neonatal Environment Flashcards

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

Answer: Non-shivering thermogenesis via brown adipose tissue metabolism

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

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

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

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

Which newborn is at greatest risk for impaired thermoregulation?

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

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

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

Answer: 36.0–36.5°C (96.8–97.7°F)

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

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

Answer: Hypoglycemia due to increased glucose consumption for thermogenesis

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

Which environmental modification best reduces convective heat loss in the newborn nursery?

Answer: Ensuring air vents do not blow directly on the newborn's crib

Directing air vents away from the newborn prevents convective heat loss caused by air movement over the infant's body surface.