Thermoregulation Flashcards
7 cards from real RNC-NIC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Thermoregulation flashcards as text
Which of the following metabolic consequences is most directly associated with prolonged cold stress in a preterm neonate?
Answer: Hypoglycemia due to rapid depletion of glucose stores
Non-shivering thermogenesis rapidly consumes glucose, depleting limited glycogen stores and leading to hypoglycemia in cold-stressed neonates.
A nurse is preparing to transport a 30-week neonate from the NICU to radiology. Which intervention is MOST important to prevent heat loss during transport?
Answer: Pre-warming the transport incubator before transferring the infant
Pre-warming the transport incubator creates a warm microenvironment before the infant is placed inside, preventing conductive and convective heat loss during transfer.
When assessing a neonate for hyperthermia, which finding would MOST help distinguish environmental hyperthermia from infectious fever?
Answer: Skin that is warm and flushed with no signs of distress
Environmental hyperthermia typically presents with warm, flushed skin and a comfortable-appearing infant, whereas infectious fever is usually accompanied by signs of illness and distress.
A preterm infant is receiving care under an open radiant warmer. The nurse identifies that radiant heat loss is occurring from the infant to the cool incubator walls nearby. What type of heat loss is described?
Answer: Radiation
Radiation is the transfer of heat from a warm body to cooler surfaces in the environment without direct contact, such as from the infant to cool walls or windows.
The neutral thermal environment (NTE) for a neonate is best defined as:
Answer: The environmental temperature range at which oxygen consumption is minimal for normal core temperature maintenance
The NTE is the environmental temperature range at which metabolic rate and oxygen consumption are lowest while the infant maintains a normal core temperature.
A 26-week infant has skin integrity concerns. Which temperature monitoring method is contraindicated?
Answer: Rectal thermometer for intermittent monitoring
Rectal temperature measurement is contraindicated in extremely preterm infants due to risk of rectal perforation and vagal stimulation.
Which of the following correctly describes the anatomical feature that makes preterm neonates more susceptible to heat loss compared to term neonates?
Answer: Greater body surface area to body weight ratio
Preterm neonates have a larger surface area relative to body mass, resulting in greater heat exchange with the environment and increased susceptibility to heat loss.