Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

What is a reliable method to assess hydration status in extremely low birth weight infants?

1. Body weight

2. Skin turgor

3. Urine volume

4. Capillary refill time

The correct answer is: Skin turgor

Skin turgor is a reliable method to assess hydration status in extremely low birth weight infants because it provides a practical and rapid evaluation of an infant's hydration. In neonates, skin turgor reflects the elasticity of the skin, which can indicate fluid levels in the body. When an infant is adequately hydrated, the skin quickly returns to its normal position when pinched or pulled. Conversely, if the infant is dehydrated, the skin will take longer to return to its original state, indicating a loss of fluid. While other methods may offer insights into hydration status, they can be less accurate or practical in this specific population. For instance, measuring body weight can be influenced by factors such as recent feedings or fluid interventions, making rapid assessments challenging. Urine volume can be difficult to accurately quantify in extremely low birth weight infants due to their small size and frequent voiding patterns. Capillary refill time, although a useful general indicator of perfusion and hydration, may not be as sensitive to changes in hydration status specifically in neonates, as their peripheral circulation can vary significantly. Hence, skin turgor remains a favored and effective method in this context.