The nurse is performing postdelivery care of a newborn delivered at 35 weeks gestation. Which of the following actions by the nurse are appropriate? Select all that apply.

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Preterm newborns are at high risk for cold stress due to immaturity of the thermoregulatory center in the brain, inadequate subcutaneous fat, and an inability to initiate shivering. These attributes make it difficult for the preterm newborn to maintain normal body temperature (axillary temperature of 97.7-99.5 F [36.5-37.5 C]). Covering the scale with warmed blankets protects against conductive heat loss, which may occur when the newborn's skin comes into contact with a cooler surface (Option A). Skin-to-skin contact with the parents for stable, preterm newborns promotes thermoregulation through conduction of body heat to the newborn (Option B). Radiant warmers and incubators provide heat through convection and are routinely used to help newborns regulate their core temperatures. Providing care underneath the radiant warmer protects newborns from convection heat loss by reducing exposure to the cooler ambient environment and air drafts (Option C). (Option D) Drying the newborn completely of amniotic fluid immediately following birth protects the newborn from heat loss by evaporation and should occur prior to or simultaneously with other interventions. (Option E) The preterm newborn should be transferred from the birthing room to the intensive care unit via a prewarmed incubator to prevent heat loss by convection. Educational objective: Preterm newborns are at increased risk for cold stress and heat loss. The nurse can help prevent cold stress by covering cool surfaces with warm blankets, completely drying the newborn after birth, providing care in the radiant warmer, transferring the newborn in a prewarmed incubator, and encouraging skin-to-skin contact.

The Nurse Is Performing Postdelivery Care of a Newborn Delivered