What would you answer for this test question?

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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

WHAT?!?!?! i'm bothered by that. :cry:

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I would of answered A.

The newborn can lose heat via: evaporation, conduction, convection, and radiation.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I would say this is not a good question and you won't see it on the NCLEX. ;)

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I agree! Those 2 answers are just too similar.

Something like that (if it had even shown up on our test) probably would have been thrown out.

I'd choose B. I'm in OB rotation now and we were taught that infants have ineffective thermoregulation

Cheryl

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i'm in OB right now and we addressed that last night. Our instructor said Heat Loss.

I do see both points though. It's one of those gotcha questions that I hate. It can go either way and when the majority go the other way, the teacher will say that you need to improve your critical thinking skills.

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Specializes in Onc/Med-Surg, ER, Nursing Supervisor.

What is the number one reason for babies temperature dropping?

A. Heat loss

B. Immature thermoregulation

Here is how I would rationalize this...

Yes, babies have immature thermoregulation. BUT they can maintain their temp if properly kept warm. (Swaddling, heat lamps, etc.) IF, a baby is placed on a cool surface or kept unwrapped and not under warming lamps, their body temp would drop because they are losing what heat they did have.

In other words, if they aren't actively losing heat, even though they have an immature thermoregulation, the external factors are keeping them warm.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'd go with B as the "number one" reason because ALL infants have ineffective thermoregulation. In theory, you could have a child who is wrapped up snug as a bug in a rug 24/7 and they'd STILL have ineffective thermoregulation simply because of their anatomy and physiology. Further, the ineffective thermoregulation is the REASON the temp drops when they're exposed. If they had effective thermoregulation, the temp wouldn't drop b/c they'd be able to shiver and generate heat.

This is another fine example of wackadoo nursing school exam questions.

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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

A. Heat loss...that why we keep them warm/swaddle them.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

NICU nurse weighing in here:

Heat loss is the correct answer. Yes, infants have immature thermoregulation systems. That's why it is our job to keep them in a thermoneutral environment. If we prevent heat loss (or exposure to excessive heat, for that matter) the infant will maintain his temp. quite nicely.

Let me put it to you this way: If you were used to an environmental temperature of 98.6 degrees and were suddenly thrust naked and wet into a room that was 25 degrees cooler with a draft, and placed on a hard surface (scale) that was cold to your skin, would you lose body heat? Of course you would, and it would have nothing to do with your immature system of thermoregualtion.

On the other hand, if you were promptly dried, wrapped in a warm towel, given a hat to cover your bald, wet head, and allowed to rest on a heating pad, you would feel just fine.

Same with a newborn.

Another way to look at it: All newborns have ineffective systems of thermoregulation, yet not all newborns experience hypothermia. Why? Because not all experience heat loss, if properly managed in the delivery room and aferward.

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Hmmmm.... Our answer was the opposite.

Babies lose heat because of heat loss secondary to immature thermoregulation.

I can see it being the other way too though. Babies have immature thermoregulation resulting in heat loss.

Either way, I did fine on the test. I got this one right, but I was discussing it with a classmate who was questioning it and saw her thought process as well.

Wait, I'm confused at how you can see this "the other way". losing heat SECONDAY to immature thermoregulation is the exact same thing as immature thermoregulation RESULTING in heat loss. By saying resulting in heat loss, you are saying that heat loss is the result of immature thermoregulation with means it is secondary to it....so both of the ways you stated it mean the exact same thing.

The reason I would agree with heat loss as an answer is because in order for something to move from hot to cold, despite everything else, there is a loss of heat, and whatever the reasoning, heat loss is the reason for the change in temperature. (thats just how I would rationalize that answer in my head)

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Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, home&pub health, pvt duty.

Babies have great difficulty with thermoregulation. After entering the world, they must be protected against heat loss from evaporation and an an environment cooler than body temp. And, they have great difficulty with thermoregulation--the shiver process to generate heat to maintain body temp is not present and/or at an adult level. If I were to answer, I would say both. But, if you need one, I would go for the thermoregulation answer as it covers the other answer, too. B for me :twocents:

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
NICU nurse weighing in here:

Heat loss is the correct answer. Yes, infants have immature thermoregulation systems. That's why it is our job to keep them in a thermoneutral environment. If we prevent heat loss (or exposure to excessive heat, for that matter) the infant will maintain his temp. quite nicely.

Let me put it to you this way: If you were used to an environmental temperature of 98.6 degrees and were suddenly thrust naked and wet into a room that was 25 degrees cooler with a draft, and placed on a hard surface (scale) that was cold to your skin, would you lose body heat? Of course you would, and it would have nothing to do with your immature system of thermoregualtion.

On the other hand, if you were promptly dried, wrapped in a warm towel, given a hat to cover your bald, wet head, and allowed to rest on a heating pad, you would feel just fine.

Same with a newborn.

Another way to look at it: All newborns have ineffective systems of thermoregulation, yet not all newborns experience hypothermia. Why? Because not all experience heat loss, if properly managed in the delivery room and aferward.

You know, when I read the question my gut said B, after reading your explanation it makes sense that it would be or could be A. although another student said they had this same test question and the answer was the Thermoregulation so obviously their isn't a unity in the answering LOL.

anyway, thank you for your explanation, it helped make sense of it.

Like you said, adults thermoregulation is fine, but put them in a situation to experience heat loss and the temp drop or hypothermia will kick in. It just will take longer with an adult then a baby. Babies don't get a temp drop or hypothermia if they are kept warm.

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