As part of a comprehensive assessment of a newborn, it is crucial for the nurse to monitor specific developmental milestones during the first week of life. One of the milestones is the ability to spontaneously maintain thermal stability. Hypothermia is a significant concern during this period, and newborns should ideally maintain a temperature range of 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F).
Based on this information, fill in the blank with the specific temperature range that a nurse should aim for to ensure thermal stability in a newborn during this critical period:
The acceptable temperature range for a newborn during the first week is ______________.