Postdelivery Care of a Newborn Delivered at 35 Weeks Gestation
What are the appropriate actions for postdelivery care of a newborn delivered at 35 weeks gestation?
A. Covers the scale with warmed blankets before weighing the newborn
B. Encourages skin-to-skin contact between the stable newborn and mother
C. Performs diaper changes underneath a radiant warmer
D. Places the identification band on the newborn before beginning to dry off amniotic fluid
E. Transfers the swaddled newborn to the neonatal intensive care unit in an open bassinet
Answer:
Appropriate actions for postdelivery care of a newborn delivered at 35 weeks gestation include covering the scale with warmed blankets, encouraging skin-to-skin contact, and performing diaper changes under a radiant warmer.
When performing postdelivery care of a newborn delivered at 35 weeks gestation, there are specific actions a nurse must take to ensure the newborn's health and stability. These actions are crucial in providing optimal care for a premature infant.
Covering the scale with warmed blankets before weighing the newborn helps prevent heat loss and ensures the maintenance of the newborn's body temperature. This is essential in preventing hypothermia in preterm infants who have difficulty regulating their body temperature.
Encouraging skin-to-skin contact between the stable newborn and mother is important for bonding, stabilizing the newborn's temperature, and promoting the initiation of breastfeeding. This contact helps regulate the baby's heart rate, breathing, and temperature, leading to better outcomes.
Performing diaper changes underneath a radiant warmer is crucial for maintaining the newborn's body temperature and preventing hypothermia. Premature infants are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations, so keeping them warm during diaper changes is essential for their well-being.
On the other hand, placing the identification band on the newborn before drying off the amniotic fluid is not appropriate. The newborn should be dried first to prevent heat loss and reduce the risk of hypothermia.
Transferring the swaddled newborn to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in an open bassinet is also not appropriate. An open bassinet does not provide adequate protection against cold, especially for preterm infants. It is important to transport preterm infants in an enclosed, ideally thermally controlled environment to ensure their safety and well-being.