What would you answer for this test question?

[tbell2]

Just wondering. I got it right, but other students were asking and I can see both sides. My instructor said this is an NCLEX question

I only remember 2 of the answers, and like so many nursing school questions, these were the two I was going between. This is for my OB class

What is the number one reason for babies temperature dropping?

A. Heat loss

B. Immature thermoregulation

[Miss Chybil RN, BSN, RN]

I'll take a stab at it... Heat loss.

[vcurrin02]

Im not in nursing school yet, but I have experience with this because my daughters were in the nicu for 3 months. I would say A: heatloss, because the baby already has established a "normal body temp" and the only way for the baby to lose heat would be if it got cold,(when I would take my daughters out of the incubator, I had to keep them covered and do kangaroo care because they would lose heat so fast), with immature thermoreg. as the days go by the baby will continue to grow so the imm thermoreg won't be a factor with the temp dropping.

Now again Im not in nursing school yet, hope to start in the fall of 2010. I look forward to seeing what everyone else has to say.

[pca_85]

I have to go against the majority and say B. I'm dying to know what your techer says though.

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

I haven't had OB yet, but I'll take a stab. I would say A. The question is asking what is the reason for temp drop. Even though a newborn may have immature thermoregulation, if their enviroment is controlled, their temp will remain steady. But if heat is lost, then the temp will drop.

I don't know if this is right or not, but it's the way my mind works :)

[Idaho Murse]

I would have to say heat loss, B could be either way. But babies drop heat really fast just because they dont have the muscle mass, fat, or metabolism to maintain their body heat as effectively as an adult does.

[itsmejuli]

B immature thermoregulation

That's why newborns are wrapped up snug as a bug in a rug.

[SNtil11]

I am going to say B. Immature Thermoregulation, although the too answers are so similar. But it seems to me that heat loss wouldnt drop basal temperature so dramatically because the "thermostat" is set at it's normal range. if the thermoregulation mechanism is immature, then it's not regulating the temperature at normal. What's the answer?

[pca_85]

We'd do better if we knew what the other two answers were...........hopefully, they don't make as much sense as heat loss and immature thermoregulation. *runs to get NCLEX book*.............

[Music in My Heart]

I'd go with heat loss. Babies have a much higher ratio of surface area (heat loss) to body mass (heat production) than do children and adults. For that reason, they simply cannot produce enough heat to keep themselves warm if they are not insulated in a cool environment.

Their thermoregulation works fine... if they're in an environment warm enough that their ability to generate heat is not overwhelmed.

[Kat2012]

I'm dying to know the answer! I'd say B too, I think.

[Quixotic]

B. Newborns lose heat because they cannot immediately adapt to a cooler environment outside of the placenta. ?? Sounds good haha...If the baby had a mature thermoregulation center, they would not lose heat, and would not have to be put under a warmer. Glad I'm done with OB haha..