Midwifery and Obstetrical Nursing – Practical

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Assisting in Thermoregulation of the Newborn

Temperature regulation is the maintenance of thermal balance by the loss of heat to the environment at a rate equal to the production of heat.

OBJECTIVES

1. Assessing the newborn for hypothermia.
2. Helping to prevent hypothermia.

PRINCIPLES

Thermoregulation in a newborn is closely related to the rate of metabolism and oxygen consumption. Within a specific environmental temperature range, called Thermal Neutral Zone (TNZ), the rates of oxygen consumption and metabolism are minimal and internal body temperature is maintained in a newborn.

PURPOSES

1. Maintain TNZ to minimize need of increased oxygen consumption.
2. Assess newborn in TNZ to prevent hypothermia.
3. Prevent hypothermia in newborn.
4. Maintain ...