Question

In caring for a preterm newborn, what knowledge related to skin care should the nurse consider when providing nursing care? Select all that apply.

1.Skin of the preterm baby is thinner than that of the full-term infant.
2.A preterm baby has less subcutaneous fat than the full-term infant.
3.The posture of the preterm infant will expose more skin to potential heat loss.
4.The preterm infant has a high body surface area in relation to their body weight. 5.The preterm infant has larger amounts of brown fat, which promotes thermoregulation.

Answer 1

In caring for a preterm newborn, the nurse should be aware that the infant's skin is thinner and they have less subcutaneous fat, leading to higher risks of fragility and temperature regulation issues. Body posture and the high body surface area to weight ratio also contribute to potential heat loss. Additionally, preterm infants have less brown fat for thermoregulation compared to full-term infants.

Step-by-step explanation:

In providing nursing care for a preterm newborn, a nurse should consider the following facts related to skin care :The skin of a preterm baby is thinner than that of a full-term infant, making it more fragile and permeable .A preterm baby has less subcutaneous fat than a full-term infant, which is significant for insulation and energy storage.

The preterm infant has a high body surface area to body weight ratio, which increases the risk of heat loss and the need for careful thermoregulation. Contrary to point 5, preterm infants have less brown fat than full-term infants, which limits their ability to regulate temperature through nonshivering thermogenesis.