Preterm birth
Preterm birth ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is providing developmental care for a preterm infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?
This is because preterm infants are born before or during critical periods of brain development and need to reduce stress and promote neurological development. Cluster care means grouping care activities together and timing them according to the infant’s cues, such as alertness, hunger, and sleepiness. This way, the infant can have longer periods of undisturbed sleep, which is essential for brain maturation.
Keeping the lights and noise level high can cause sensory overload and stress for the preterm infant. The NICU environment should be dimmed and quiet to mimic the womb and support the infant’s circadian rhythm.
Avoiding touching or holding the infant can deprive the infant of human contact and bonding, which are important for emotional and social development. Preterm infants can benefit from gentle touch, massage, and kangaroo care, which is holding the baby with direct skin-to-skin contact. These interventions can help with body temperature, breastfeeding, weight gain, and attachment.
Changing the infant’s position frequently can disrupt the infant’s sleep and cause stress. Preterm infants should be positioned in a way that supports their posture and alignment, such as flexion, midline orientation, and containment. Positioning aids such as blankets, rolls, or nests can be used to provide boundaries and comfort for the infant.
This is because preterm infants are born before or during critical periods of brain development and need to reduce stress and promote neurological development. Cluster care means grouping care activities together and timing them according to the infant’s cues, such as alertness, hunger, and sleepiness. This way, the infant can have longer periods of undisturbed sleep, which is essential for brain maturation.
Choice B is wrong because keeping the lights and noise level high can cause sensory overload and stress for the preterm infant. The NICU environment should be dimmed and quiet to mimic the womb and support the infant’s circadian rhythm.
Choice C is wrong because avoiding touching or holding the infant can deprive the infant of human contact and bonding, which are important for emotional and social development. Preterm infants can benefit from gentle touch, massage, and kangaroo care, which is holding the baby with direct skin-to-skin contact. These interventions can help with body temperature, breastfeeding, weight gain, and attachment.
Choice D is wrong because changing the infant’s position frequently can disrupt the infant’s sleep and cause stress. Preterm infants should be positioned in a way that supports their posture and alignment, such as flexion, midline orientation, and containment. Positioning aids such as blankets, rolls, or nests can be used to provide boundaries and comfort for the infant.