NREMT Paramedic Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

During birth, a newborn undergoes several significant physiological changes to adapt from fetal to extrauterine life. One major change involves the emptying of fluids from the lungs, which is crucial for establishing normal respiratory function. The lungs need to fill with air, and this process starts during the initial breaths post-delivery.

Another important change is the alteration of the circulatory pattern. Before birth, the fetus relies on the placenta for oxygen and nutrients, while the circulatory system bypasses certain structures, such as the lungs and liver. After birth, these structures become functional as blood flows to the lungs for oxygen exchange and the liver for processing nutrients.

Maintaining body temperature is also a critical adjustment for a newborn. The transition from the warm womb to the external environment requires mechanisms that help the infant regulate its body temperature, as they are more susceptible to hypothermia immediately after birth.

The preference for solid foods, however, is not a major change during the birth process. Infants are born with a natural reflex to suckle, and their diet initially consists solely of liquid milk, whether breast or formula. The transition to solid foods typically occurs later in development, around six months of age or older, as the infant matures and is ready to integrate