Thermoregulation and Temperature Management Flashcards

What is the recommended delivery room temperature for resuscitation of a term newborn according to NRP guidelines?

Answer: 23-25°C (74-77°F)

NRP guidelines recommend maintaining delivery room temperature at 23-25°C (74-77°F) to minimize heat loss in term newborns during resuscitation.

Which mechanism of heat loss is MOST significant immediately after birth when an infant is wet from amniotic fluid?

Answer: Evaporation

Evaporation of amniotic fluid from the skin surface is the primary and most rapid mechanism of heat loss immediately after birth.

What is the normal axillary temperature range for a healthy newborn?

Answer: 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F)

Normal axillary temperature for a newborn is 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F), defining the normothermia range used in neonatal care.

For infants born at less than 32 weeks' gestation, which intervention is specifically recommended by NRP to prevent heat loss in the delivery room?

Answer: Polyethylene plastic bag or wrap

NRP recommends placing preterm infants <32 weeks into a polyethylene plastic bag or wrap without drying to reduce evaporative heat loss.

According to WHO, neonatal hypothermia is defined as a body temperature below:

Answer: 36.5°C (97.7°F)

WHO defines neonatal hypothermia as an axillary or rectal temperature below 36.5°C (97.7°F), the lower boundary of the normal range.

What is the FIRST action to prevent heat loss in a vigorous term newborn immediately after birth?

Answer: Dry the infant and remove wet linens

Drying the infant and immediately removing wet linens eliminates the primary source of evaporative heat loss in term newborns.

Which mechanism of heat loss does a radiant warmer primarily counteract?

Answer: Radiation

A radiant warmer emits infrared radiant heat to counteract radiation heat loss, which occurs when the infant's body radiates heat to cooler surrounding surfaces.