Preterm Infant Care Quiz

The nurse is teaching parents about kangaroo care for their preterm infant. Which statement indicates understanding?

• This method is primarily for keeping our baby warm.

• It will help my baby gain weight and improve bonding.

• Kangaroo care can only be done in the NICU setting.

• We should avoid kangaroo care until our baby is able to bottle-feed.

A nurse is monitoring a preterm infant for signs of infection. Which finding is most concerning?

• Slightly elevated heart rate during feedings.

• Temperature instability (low or high).

• Frequent crying with high-pitched sounds.

• Extended periods of sleep between feedings.

A nurse is caring for a preterm infant born at 30 weeks gestation. Which complication is the infant most at risk for?

• Type 1 diabetes

• Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

• Appendicitis

• Osteoarthritis

Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a preterm infant with an immature sucking reflex?

• Providing nutrition through gavage feeding

• Encouraging bottle feeding immediately after birth

• Avoiding any form of feeding until the reflex develops

• Encouraging parents to delay feedings

A nurse notices that a preterm infant's skin appears reddish and translucent. What is the most likely reason for this finding?

• Increased bilirubin levels

• Dehydration

• Underdeveloped skin layers and lack of subcutaneous fat

• Infection

The nurse is educating parents of a preterm infant about thermoregulation. Which statement by the parents indicates a need for further teaching?

• We need to keep our baby warm to prevent cold stress.

• Skin-to-skin contact can help regulate our baby's temperature.

• Our baby has enough body fat to stay warm without special measures.

• We will monitor for signs of temperature instability.

Preterm infants are at increased risk for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) due to immature gastrointestinal function.

• T

• F

Kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact) should be avoided in preterm infants due to their fragile condition.

• T

• F

Preterm infants require higher calorie intake per kilogram of body weight compared to full-term infants to support growth.

• T

• F

Preterm infants are less likely to experience apnea due to their immature respiratory control center.

• T

• F