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acrocyanosis
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cyanosis occurring only on the hands and feet, an expected finding in a newborn, that lasts up to a week
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Apgar assessment
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standardized assessment to evaluate the response of the newborn’s transition to extrauterine life based on heart rate, respiration, reflex irritability, muscle tone, and color at 1 minute and 5 minutes post birth
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cold stress
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occurs when excessive heat loss requires the infant to use compensatory mechanisms (increased respirations and nonshivering thermogenesis) to maintain core body temperature
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conduction
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heat loss occurring from direct contact with a cooler surface
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convection
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heat loss occurring when heat is transferred from the body surface to the surrounding air by a current
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encephalopathy with hyperammonemia
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high levels of ammonia in the blood that cause brain damage
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evaporation
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heat loss that occurs when liquid is converted to vapor
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extrauterine life
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life outside the uterus
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first period of reactivity
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initial episode of neonatal behavior beginning at birth, lasting about 30 minutes, and characterized by activity, alertness, responsiveness, and interaction with anyone nearby
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galactosemia
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buildup of galactose in the blood
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homeothermic
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attempting stabilization internally despite significant temperature variations in the environment the neonate is presently in
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intrauterine life
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life inside the uterus
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meconium
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first stool the newborn passes, consisting of amniotic fluid, mucus, lanugo, and bile
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muscle tone
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tension of healthy muscles that contributes a slight resistance to passive displacement of a limb
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neutral thermal environment
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the temperature range necessary for heat production to be at a minimum to maintain normal body temperature
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nonshivering thermogenesis
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increase in metabolic heat production above the basal metabolism that is not associated with muscle activity
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patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
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cardiac defect that occurs when a fetal anatomic shunt, the ductus arteriosus, fails to close after birth
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patent foramen ovale (PFO)
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cardiac defect that occurs when a fetal anatomic shunt, the foramen ovale, fails to close after birth
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period of decreased responsiveness
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secondary episode of neonatal behavior, lasting about 30 minutes to 2 hours, characterized by a marked decrease in motor activity, decreased vital signs, and deep sleep
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radiation
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heat loss occurring from transfer of heat to cool solid objects not in direct contact with the newborn
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reflex irritability
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newborn’s response to stimulation from the nurse
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second period of reactivity
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third and final episode of neonatal behavior lasting about 2 to 8 hours, characterized by increased activity, alertness, oral secretions, and an interest in feeding and parental-neonatal bonding; this is the final stage in neonatal transition
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ten-step warm chain
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standardized program developed in 1997 by the World Health Organization to support thermal stability in the newborn
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thermoregulation
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maintenance of thermal balance by the loss of heat to the environment at a rate equal to the heat being produced
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transient neonatal thrombocytopenia
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condition of decreased platelets that develops in neonates