Neonatal Thermoregulation and Fluid Balance Flashcards

A nurse notes a neonate's skin color is blue centrally including the lips and mucous membranes. This is classified as:

Answer: Central cyanosis, indicating low arterial oxygen saturation

Central cyanosis involving mucous membranes indicates systemic hypoxemia and requires immediate assessment and intervention.

Hyperkalemia in the first 72 hours of life in an extremely preterm infant is most likely caused by:

Answer: Non-oliguric hyperkalemia from immature Na/K-ATPase pump activity

ELBW infants frequently develop non-oliguric hyperkalemia due to immature Na/K-ATPase function causing potassium to shift from cells.

The preferred method for monitoring core temperature in a NICU patient is:

Answer: Axillary temperature with a digital thermometer

Axillary temperature is the safest and most clinically used method in neonates; rectal measurement risks perforation in fragile preterm infants.

Hypocalcemia in a neonate born to a diabetic mother is related to:

Answer: Hypomagnesemia impairing PTH secretion

IDM neonates often have hypomagnesemia, which impairs PTH secretion and leads to secondary hypocalcemia.

Daily weights in the NICU are most important for monitoring:

Answer: Fluid balance, nutritional adequacy, and edema

Daily weights guide fluid management, detect fluid overload or dehydration, and assess nutritional support adequacy in NICU patients.

Which intervention best prevents heat loss by evaporation immediately after birth for a premature infant?

Answer: Immediately wrapping in a polyethylene plastic bag without drying

Polyethylene wrapping without drying prevents evaporative heat loss by retaining body moisture against the skin in preterm infants.