Question

To prevent unrecognized cold stress in late preterm infants, what should the nurse prioritize?

a) Frequent bathing
b) Skin-to-skin contact
c) Swaddling with multiple layers
d) Keeping the environment warm

Answer 1

To prevent unrecognized cold stress in late preterm infants, nurses should prioritize skin-to-skin contact, which provides direct warmth from the mother and has numerous other health benefits. It is more effective than other methods such as frequent bathing or multiple layers of swaddling, which can have potential risks.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prevent unrecognized cold stress in late preterm infants, the nurse should prioritize skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care. This method not only leverages the mother's body heat to keep the baby warm but also encourages bonding and has been shown to have many benefits for both the infant and the mother. Besides the warmth, skin-to-skin contact helps stabilize the infant's heart rate, improves oxygen saturation levels, conserves a baby's calories, and facilitates early breastfeeding.

While keeping the environment warm is also important, it is not as direct or efficient at transferring and maintaining warmth as skin-to-skin contact. Frequent bathing could potentially increase the risk of cold stress by cooling the infant down during and shortly after the bath if not done properly. Swaddling with multiple layers may help, but it should be used with caution to avoid overheating, which is another risk factor for late preterm infants.