A nurse is caring for a preterm newborn who is in an incubator to maintain a neutral thermal environment.
The father of the newborn asks the nurse why this is necessary. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
Preterm newborns lack the ability to regulate their own temperatures.
The heat in the incubator rapidly dries the sweat of preterm newborns.
Preterm newborns have a smaller body surface area than normal newborns.
The added brown fat layer in a preterm newborn reduces his ability to generate heat.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Preterm newborns have underdeveloped mechanisms for thermoregulation, making it difficult for them to maintain stable body temperatures without external assistance.
Choice B rationale
Preterm newborns do not sweat significantly because their sweat glands are not fully developed; thus, this rationale is incorrect.
Choice C rationale
Preterm newborns actually have a larger body surface area relative to their weight, contributing to their difficulty in maintaining body temperature.
Choice D rationale
Preterm newborns have insufficient brown fat, not an excess, which impairs their ability to generate heat effectively.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Answer and explanation
11: Step 1 is (22 lb ÷ 2.2) = 10 kg.
Step 2 is 10 kg × 10 mg = 100 mg.
Step 3 is (100 mg ÷ 100 mg) × 5 mL = 5 mL. Answer: 5 mL
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Playing might cause irregular breathing patterns due to excitement or activity, making it hard to get an accurate respiratory rate.
Choice B rationale
Crying can alter the normal breathing rate and pattern, resulting in an inaccurate assessment of respirations.
Choice C rationale
Sleeping provides the most accurate assessment of respirations, as the infant’s breathing will be at its natural, resting rate.
Choice D rationale
Laughing, similar to crying, causes irregular breathing patterns due to physical exertion and emotions, affecting accuracy.