Author Question: Nurses can prevent evaporative heat loss in the newborn by: a. Drying the baby after birth and ... (Read 119 times)

mynx · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

Nurses can prevent evaporative heat loss in the newborn by:

a. Drying the baby after birth and wrapping the baby in a dry blanket.
b. Keeping the baby out of drafts and away from air conditioners.
c. Placing the baby away from the outside wall and the windows.
d. Warming the stethoscope and the nurse's hands before touching the baby.

Question 2

A nursing student is helping the nursery nurses with morning vital signs. A baby born 10 hours ago by cesarean section is found to have moist lung sounds. What is the best interpretation of these data?

a. The nurse should notify the pediatrician stat for this emergency situation.
b. The neonate must have aspirated surfactant.
c. If this baby was born vaginally, it could indicate a pneumothorax.
d. The lungs of a baby delivered by cesarean section may sound moist for 24 hours after birth.

ApricotDream · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Because the infant is wet with amniotic fluid and blood, heat loss by evaporation occurs quickly. Heat loss by convection occurs when drafts come from open doors and air currents created by people moving around. If the heat loss is caused by placing the baby near cold surfaces or equipment, it is referred to as a radiation heat loss. Conduction heat loss occurs when the baby comes in contact with cold objects or surfaces.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The condition will resolve itself within a few hours. For this common condition of newborns, surfactant acts to keep the expanded alveoli partially open between respirations. In vaginal births, absorption of remaining lung fluid is accelerated by the process of labor and delivery. Remaining lung fluid will move into interstitial spaces and be absorbed by the circulatory and lymphatic systems. This is a particularly common condition for infants delivered by cesarean section. Surfactant is produced by the lungs, so aspiration is not a concern.