A nurse is caring for a premature infant on oxygen. What action is critical for the infant's ...

ANS: D
Although oxygen therapy is often needed, it has complications, one of which is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The use of supplemental oxygen results in lungs that fail to develop normal compliance. Preventative measures for BPD include using the lowest amount of oxygen needed to keep saturations in the desired range. If the child goes home on oxygen, the parents will need to be taught how to care for the baby. Lung maturity is assessed on the basis of function, not daily chest x-rays. The infant may need a warmer due to prematurity and inability to regulate temperature, but this is not a safety measure related to oxygen.