A nurse is performing a head-to-toe assessment on a newborn. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent heat loss through conduction?

Rationale: A. Conduct the assessment before drying the newborn: Performing the assessment before drying exposes the newborn’s wet skin to cooler air and surfaces, increasing heat loss through evaporation, not conduction. The newborn should always be thoroughly dried immediately after birth to conserve body heat. B. Check the newborn's rectal temperature every hr: Frequent temperature monitoring does not prevent heat loss; it only identifies hypothermia after it occurs. Additionally, rectal temperature measurement may cause mucosal injury and is not routinely recommended for newborns. C. Place the newborn in an open crib for the initial assessment: Placing the newborn in an open crib exposes the infant to cooler air and surfaces, increasing heat loss through convection and conduction. The initial assessment should occur under a radiant warmer to maintain thermal stability. D. Cover scale with warm blankets when weighing the newborn: Covering the scale prevents conduction heat loss, which occurs when the newborn’s skin comes into contact with cold surfaces. Using a warm blanket or pad ensures the infant’s body heat is preserved during weighing or handling.