To prevent conductive heat loss in a newborn, which action is not recommended?

• A. Place the infant under a radiant warming system.
• B. Put a blanket on the scale when weighing the infant.
• C. Dry the newborn with a warmed blanket.
• D. Position the crib away from the windows.

Answer: (B)

Conductive heat loss happens when the newborn’s skin is in contact with a cooler surface. The best way to prevent this is to place the infant on a warm, pre-warmed surface, dry the newborn thoroughly with a warm towel, and keep the environment free of cold drafts (for example, by using a radiant warmer and positioning away from windows).

Placing a blanket on the scale when weighing is not recommended because it can interfere with obtaining an accurate weight. A blanket adds variable mass and does not reliably prevent heat loss; for accurate measurement you want to weigh the infant quickly with minimal clothing on a warm, clean surface.