To prevent heat loss from convection in a newborn, which action by the nurse is best?
Dry the baby after a bath.
Wrap the baby in warmed blankets.
Place the baby in a warmer.
Move infant away from blowing fan.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is: d. Move infant away from blowing fan.
Choice A: Dry the baby after a bath
Drying the baby after a bath is essential to prevent heat loss through evaporation. When a newborn is wet, the water on their skin can evaporate, taking heat away from their body. While this is an important step in maintaining the baby’s temperature, it does not specifically address heat loss through convection.
Choice B: Wrap the baby in warmed blankets
Wrapping the baby in warmed blankets helps prevent heat loss through conduction and radiation. Conduction occurs when the baby comes into contact with a cooler surface, and radiation occurs when the baby loses heat to the surrounding environment. Although this action is beneficial, it does not directly address heat loss through convection.
Choice C: Place the baby in a warmer
Placing the baby in a warmer is an effective way to maintain the baby’s overall body temperature by providing a controlled, warm environment. This action helps prevent heat loss through conduction, radiation, and evaporation. However, it is not the most direct method to prevent heat loss through convection.
Choice D: Move infant away from blowing fan
Moving the infant away from a blowing fan directly addresses and prevents heat loss due to air movement, which is a key factor in convection. Convection occurs when air currents carry heat away from the baby’s body. By moving the baby away from the fan, the nurse can effectively reduce heat loss through this mechanism.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Charting the normal axillary temperature is not the priority in this situation. The infant's temperature is subnormal, indicating hypothermia, which requires immediate intervention.
Choice B reason:
Rechecking the infant's temperature rectally may provide a more accurate reading, but it is not the priority action at this moment. The infant's low temperature indicates the need for immediate warming to prevent further complications.
Choice C reason:
Placing the infant in a radiant warmer is the priority nursing action. The axillary temperature of 35.9°C (96.6°F) is below the normal range for a newborn, which is around 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F). Hypothermia in newborns can be dangerous and lead to respiratory distress, metabolic problems, and other complications. A radiant warmer provides a controlled heat source to warm the infant and stabilize their body temperature.
Choice D reason:
Having the mother breastfeed the infant may help provide warmth and comfort, but it is not the priority action. The immediate concern is to raise the infant's body temperature to a safe range using a radiant warmer.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Uteroplacental insufficiency is a condition where the placenta cannot deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. This can cause fetal hypoxia and distress, which can be detected by late decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. Late decelerations are defined as a decrease in the fetal heart rate that begins after the peak of the contraction and returns to baseline after the contraction ends. This indicates that the fetus is not tolerating the reduced blood flow during the contractions and needs immediate intervention. • Choice B reason:
Umbilical cord compression is a condition where the umbilical cord is squeezed or twisted, reducing the blood flow and oxygen to the fetus. This can cause variable decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. Variable decelerations are defined as a decrease in the fetal heart rate that varies in timing, shape, and duration, and may or may not be associated with contractions. This indicates that the fetus is experiencing intermittent or sustained cord compression and may need repositioning or other interventions. • Choice C reason:
Maternal bradycardia is a condition where the mother's heart rate is slower than normal, usually less than 60 beats per minute. This can cause reduced blood flow and oxygen to the placenta and the fetus, but it does not cause late decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. Maternal bradycardia can be caused by various factors, such as medications, hypothermia, hypothyroidism, or vagal stimulation. It may need treatment depending on the cause and severity. • Choice D reason:
Fetal head compression is a condition where the fetal head is pressed against the cervix or the pelvic floor during labor, stimulating the vagus nerve and slowing down the fetal heart rate. This can cause early decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. Early decelerations are defined as a decrease in the fetal heart rate that begins with the onset of the contraction and returns to baseline with the end of the contraction. This indicates that the fetus is descending in the birth canal and is usually a normal and benign finding.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.