An hour after birth, the nurse assesses a newborn's temperature and notes that it is 36.2°C (97.2°F). The next activity planned for the newborn is the bath, and the new mother and father are invited to participate in the procedure. What is the nurse's next action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A temperature of 36.7°C (98°F) or higher is often used to determine when to bathe the infant. The infant can lose heat in the bath through the process of evaporation. Rectal temperatures are avoided because they can traumatize the rectal mucosa. The water temperature should be approximately 38 to 40°C (100.4 to 104°F). The nurse should determine if the bath water is the correct temperature to avoid scalding the newborn. Explain the process of giving a bath during the procedure. Informing the parents before the procedure may result in loss of information.

An Hour After Birth, the Nurse Assesses a Newborn's Temperature