Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

What is the minimum weight for a neonate to be considered for weaning from an incubator?

1. 1000 gm

2. 1200 gm

3. 1500 gm

The correct answer is: 1200 gm

The threshold for considering a neonate for weaning from an incubator typically aligns with the developmental stability and physiological maturity of the infant. A weight of 1200 grams is recognized as a critical milestone, as at this weight, many preterm infants begin to exhibit improved thermoregulation skills and the ability to maintain body temperature effectively outside of an incubator environment. Achieving this weight signifies that the infant is moving towards the readiness for additional developmental transitions, including the move to open cribs. Infants at or above this weight are more likely to have sufficient metabolic reserves, skin integrity, and lower risk for heat loss, which supports successful weaning from incubator care. Infants weighing below this threshold often still require incubator support to maintain their body temperature and monitor for potential health complications that may arise as they continue to grow and develop. Therefore, while 1000 grams is too low for safe weaning, and 1500 grams is certainly adequate, 1200 grams is widely regarded as the minimum weight for evaluating readiness for this transition.