Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Thermoregulation & Neonatal Environment Flashcards

What is the normal axillary temperature range for a healthy term newborn?

Answer: 97.7–99.5°F (36.5–37.5°C)

Normal axillary temperature for a term newborn is 97.7–99.5°F (36.5–37.5°C); values outside this range require further assessment.

Which mechanism of heat loss is responsible for a newborn losing heat to a cold incubator wall without direct contact?

Answer: Radiation

Radiation is the transfer of heat from the newborn's body to cooler surrounding surfaces without direct contact.

What is the primary reason newborns are at high risk for heat loss immediately after birth?

Answer: Large body surface area relative to body mass and limited subcutaneous fat

Newborns have a large surface area-to-mass ratio and minimal subcutaneous fat, making them highly susceptible to heat loss.

Which immediate nursing action best prevents heat loss by evaporation in the delivery room?

Answer: Thoroughly drying the newborn and removing wet linens

Drying the newborn immediately and replacing wet linens removes the primary source of evaporative heat loss after birth.

What is the neutral thermal environment (NTE) for a newborn?

Answer: The environmental temperature at which the newborn maintains normal body temperature with minimal metabolic effort

The neutral thermal environment is the environmental temperature range at which a newborn maintains normal body temperature with minimal oxygen and caloric expenditure.

A nurse notes a newborn's skin temperature is 35.8°C (96.4°F) and the infant is lethargic and not feeding well. What is the priority intervention?

Answer: Initiate rewarming gradually using skin-to-skin contact or a warmed incubator

Cold stress with lethargy requires gradual rewarming to prevent further metabolic stress, hypoglycemia, and respiratory complications.