High-Risk Newborn - Answers An infant with increased risk for illness or complications due to birth
weight, gestational age, or underlying physiologic problems.
Classification of High-Risk Infants - Answers High-risk infants are categorized based on birth weight,
gestational age, and predominant health complications.
Preterm Infant - Answers Infant born before 37 weeks gestation who is physiologically immature and
at high risk for complications.
Late Preterm Infant - Answers Infant born between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks gestation.
Early Term Infant - Answers Infant born between 37 0/7 and 38 6/7 weeks gestation.
Postterm Infant - Answers Infant born after 42 weeks gestation.
Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW) Infant - Answers Infant weighing 1000 grams (2.2 pounds) or less
at birth.
Viability - Answers The ability of a fetus to survive outside the uterus, generally around 24 weeks
gestation.
Respiratory Function in Preterm Infants - Answers Preterm infants have small airways, weak gag
reflexes, and insufficient surfactant, increasing risk for respiratory distress. Symptoms include
grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions.
Cardiovascular Function in Preterm Infants - Answers Immature cardiovascular system may cause
hypotension, hypertension, or pulmonary hypertension.
Thermoregulation in Preterm Infants - Answers Preterm infants cannot regulate body temperature
due to lack of subcutaneous fat and inability to increase metabolic rate. Cold stress can cause
hypoglycemia and bradycardia.
Signs of Hypothermia - Answers Mottled skin, low blood glucose, and slow heart rate.
Central Nervous System Immaturity - Answers Preterm infants are at increased risk for brain
bleeding, birth trauma, and hypoglycemia.
Nutritional Challenges in Preterm Infants - Answers Preterm infants have difficulty coordinating
sucking and swallowing and require increased calories to support growth and development.
Renal Immaturity - Answers Kidneys are not fully developed; urine output is monitored by weighing
diapers.
Hematologic Problems - Answers Preterm infants are at risk for anemia, bleeding, and clotting
disorders due to immature blood systems.
Immune System Immaturity - Answers Premature infants have decreased immune protection,
increasing infection risk.
Corrected Age - Answers Adjusted age calculated by adding gestational age and postnatal age to
evaluate developmental milestones accurately.
Catch-Up Growth - Answers Preterm infants often reach normal growth patterns by approximately 2
years of age.
Delayed Developmental Milestones - Answers Preterm infants may experience delays in sitting,
rolling over, and fine motor skills until corrected age is reached.
Respiratory Support Methods - Answers Includes oxygen therapy, nasal cannula, CPAP, mechanical
ventilation, surfactant administration, and gradual weaning from respiratory support.
Oxygen Therapy - Answers Room air contains 21% oxygen. Infants requiring higher oxygen
concentrations are gradually weaned to prevent oxygen toxicity.
Surfactant Therapy - Answers Medication given to improve lung expansion and reduce respiratory
distress.
Time to Establish Oxygenation - Answers Newborns typically have about 10 minutes after birth to
achieve normal oxygen levels.
Enteral Feeding - Answers Feeding through the gastrointestinal tract when tolerated.
Human Milk Feeding - Answers Preferred feeding option due to improved immunity and digestion.
Infant Formula Feeding - Answers Used when breast milk is unavailable or insufficient.
Nonnutritive Sucking - Answers Use of pacifiers or sucking behaviors to improve feeding coordination
and digestion.
Elimination Monitoring - Answers Assessment of bowel sounds, kidney function, and stool patterns to
evaluate feeding tolerance
Fragile Skin in Preterm Infants - Answers Skin is thin, easily damaged, and requires gentle handling.