Nursing Care of the Newborn Related

Review Nursing Care of the Newborn related questions and content

The postpartum nurse notices that a new mother has her neonate unwrapped and undressed 'to check out the baby.' For which reason does the nurse conclude the neonate is at risk for cold stress?

  • A. The neonate has an increased metabolic rate.
  • B. The neonate's respiratory rate has dropped.
  • C. The neonate is moving extremities about.
  • D. The neonate's skin is cool and clammy.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because cool and clammy skin is a sign of cold stress in neonates. When a neonate's skin is cool and clammy, it indicates that the baby is losing body heat and struggling to maintain a stable body temperature. Cold stress can lead to complications such as hypothermia and respiratory distress.

A: Increased metabolic rate would actually help generate heat to combat cold stress.
B: Respiratory rate dropping is not necessarily indicative of cold stress and may be a normal response to being undressed.
C: Moving extremities about is a normal behavior and not necessarily a sign of cold stress.