Question

A nurse sees another health team member cover an infant with a blanket to prevent heat loss. What heat loss mechanism is being minimized by this action?

Answer 1

There are four types of heat loss mechanisms: radiation, convection, conduction and evaporation.
Radiation is transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves through space
Conduction is a process by which heat is transferred from the hot area of a solid object to the cool area.
Convection is a process by which heat is transferred from one part of a fluid (liquid or gas) to another by the bulk movement of the fluid itself.
Evaporation - when sweating promotes heat loss.
Covering an infant with a blanket to prevent heat loss will minimize the heat loss mechanism - radiation (The heat generated from within the body is given-off to the surrounding atmosphere will be minimized).