Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

Which of the following is a criterion for successful weaning from an incubator to an open crib?

1. Has at least three days of consistent weight gain

2. Is medically stable

3. Weighs at least 1200 gm

The correct answer is: Is medically stable

Successful weaning from an incubator to an open crib depends significantly on the infant's medical stability. This encompasses various factors, including thermoregulatory control, respiratory stability, and overall physiological adaptation to the external environment. An infant who is medically stable has demonstrated the ability to maintain body temperature without the assistance of an incubator and can handle the stress of being in an open environment without significant physiological changes or deterioration. While consistent weight gain and a minimum weight may be relevant indicators of an infant's readiness, they do not solely determine the infant’s capability to transition to an open crib. An infant may have adequate weight and even gain weight consistently but could still experience medical instability that would make open crib care unsafe. Medical stability is thus a priority criterion, ensuring that the infant can thrive in a setting with less controlled environmental conditions.