Which nursing action is designed to avoid unnecessary heat loss in the newborn?
A) Maintain room temperature at 21°C (70°F).
B) Place a blanket over the scale before weighing the infant.
C) Take the rectal temperature every hour to detect early changes.
D) Undress the infant completely for assessments so that they can be finished quickly.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Padding the scale prevents heat loss from the infant to a cold surface by conduction. The room temperature should be appropriate to prevent heat loss from convection. Also, if the room is warm enough, radiation will assist in maintaining body heat. Hourly assessments are not necessary for a normal newborn with a stable temperature. Undressing the infant completely will expose the child to cooler room temperatures and cause a drop in body temperature by convection.

Which Nursing Action Is Designed to Avoid Unnecessary Heat Loss