以能量消耗概念談早產兒臨床指標

Energy Expenditure and Clinical Indicators of Premature Infants

為維持正常發展及成長之目標，能量消耗是早產兒照護的核心概念。在照護的過程中協助早產兒儲存足夠能量以應付內外在環境壓力，是護理人員的主要任務，因此評估護理活動及環境對早產兒能量消耗之影響是非常重要的議題。本文將說明早產兒能量消耗之概念、相關影響因素及臨床可運用的測量工具，包括耗氧量、心跳、活動度及行為狀態。了解各項工具的優點及限制，客觀的使用實證資料，將能協助護理人員判斷創新的或常規處置的安全性及適切性，做為提供護理措施的參考依據。

For the goal of normal development and growth, energy expenditure is a core concept of care for premature infants. When taking care of premature infants, making efforts to conserve energy for infants to cope with internal and external environmental demands is a major task of nurses. Accordingly, evaluating the effects of nursing interventions and environmental stimulation on infants' energy expenditure is an essential issue. This article elaborates the concept of energy expenditure in premature infants, influencing factors, and available instruments including oxygen consumption, heart rate, motor activity, and behavioral state. Recognitions of the strengths and limitations of each measurement will facilitate nurses in objectively interpreting empirical information, in terms of safety and appropriateness, associated with innovative and routine care procedures.