Abstract
Preterm infants are not physiologically or developmentally prepared for life outside the supportive environment of the mother's womb. Their response to stimuli is often immature and disorganized rather than adaptive. The Roy Adaptation Model's theory of an adaptive person may provide a framework for nurses to assess, plan, and evaluate nursing care for fragile preterm infants. The article examines actual and potential stressors of the premature infant; describes commonly observed disorganized, ineffective responses; and proposes a clinical tool (the STRESS tool: signs of stress, touch interventions, reduction of pain, environmental considerations, state, and stability) that nurses can use when caring for medically fragile infants.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
