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.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Negative behaviors characterized by the need for autonomy are typical of toddlers. According to Erikson, this stage is known as autonomy versus shame and doubt, where toddlers
assert their independence and develop self-control.
Choice B rationale
Erikson's stage of initiative versus guilt applies to preschool children, not toddlers. This stage involves children beginning to assert power and control over their environment through
directing play and other social interactions.
Choice C rationale
The need to start a task and complete it is associated with Erikson's stage of industry versus inferiority, which applies to school-aged children, not toddlers. This stage involves
developing a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
Choice D rationale
The discovery of their identity is a characteristic of Erikson's stage of identity versus role confusion, which pertains to adolescence. During this stage, teenagers work on refining a
sense of self.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Preoperational stage starts around age 2 to 7 years, characterized by symbolic thinking.
Choice B rationale
Concrete operational stage starts around age 7 to 11 years, involving logical thinking about concrete events.
Choice C rationale
Sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years) is when infants know the world mostly in terms of their sensory impressions and motor activities.
Choice D rationale
Formal operational stage begins at approximately age 12 and involves abstract and hypothetical thinking.