Test 2- Ch. 6 Contnuing Care of the Neonate Flashcards
Thermoregulation can best be defined as the maintenance between
heat dissipation and heat production by the body
What is the thermoneutral zone
the temp range in which the metabolic rate is at a minimum and thus, oxygen consumption is at its lowest
Internal thermal gradient (ITG) is the temp difference between the
warm body core and the cooler skin
What is the ITG regulated by?
- metabolic rate
- the amount of subcutaneous fat present
- the amount of surface area available for dissipation of heat
- the distance from the body core to skin surface
The temp difference between the skin and the environment is called
External thermal gardient (ETG)
What are the 4 factors that determine heat loss through the ETG?
- Radiant
- Conductive
- Convective
- Evaporative
As water changes states from a liquid to a gas, heat is released, this is called
Evaporation
The loss of heat from the skin to moving air
Convection
The transfer of heat from the body to a cooler surface on which the neonate is lying
Conduction
The dissipation of heat from the neonate to cooler objects that surround the pt but are not in direct contact
Radiant
The thermal neutral zone is between 36.5C and 37.5C (97.7 F and 99.5 F)
!!!
The initial response to hypothermia is
peripheral vasoconstriction
Peripheral vasoconstriction leads to
anaerobic metabolism and metabolic acidosis
The presence of acidosis may lead to ________________ vasoconstriction with worsening hypoxemia and ___________
pulmonary;
acidosis
“A COLD BABY IS A STRESS BABY!!”
IMPORTANT
Hyperthermia is temp above normal
!!
The initial response of the neonate is a ________________ of the ____________ vessels to help dissipate heat
vasodilation;
peripheral
Prevention of evaporation loss
every neonate should immediately be completely dried with a prewarmed towel or blanket
Prevention of Radiant loss
The neonate should be wrapped in a warm blanket and immediately placed beneath a radiant heater for resuscitation or examination
Kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact) is a method of maintaining thermoregulation of the neonate
!!
Total body water (TBW) is the total of
extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF)
