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South Dakota EMS Protocols Practice Exam

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Which statement best describes the purpose of placing a premature/low birth weight neonate in a plastic bag up to the axilla after delivery?
Correct Answer:
Minimize heat loss
Explanation:
Maintaining the newborn’s temperature is the key idea here. Premature or low birth weight babies have a large surface area relative to their small body mass and limited ability to regulate heat, so they lose heat quickly after birth. Placing a clean plastic bag up to the axilla creates a warm, insulated microenvironment around the trunk and arms, which reduces evaporative and convective heat loss and helps preserve core temperature until further warming measures can be provided. This approach is specifically about preventing hypothermia, not about preventing infection, improving breathing, or keeping the baby dry. The head is left exposed so you can monitor respirations and airway status, and drying and drying-warming strategies should accompany it.

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