A nurse is admitting a client who is hesitant to create advance directives due to concerns about affording legal representation.

Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

The correct answer is choice D. Minimize noise in the newborn’s environment.

This is because neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a condition that affects newborns who are exposed to opioids or other addictive substances in the womb. These substances can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborns, such as excessive crying, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.

Minimizing noise and other stimuli can help calm the newborn and reduce stress.

Choice A is wrong because swaddling the newborn with his legs extended can increase muscle tension and discomfort. Swaddling should be done with the legs flexed and hips abducted to prevent hip dysplasia.

Choice B is wrong because administering naloxone to the newborn can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and respiratory depression. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses the effects of opioids, but it is not recommended for newborns with NAS unless they have life-threatening respiratory depression.

Choice C is wrong because maintaining eye contact with the newborn during feedings can overstimulate the newborn and cause agitation. Eye contact should be avoided or limited during feedings for newborns with NAS.

A, B, C, D, and H. Here is why:.

• A. Heart rate: The client’s heart rate is elevated at 118/min, which could indicate blood loss, dehydration, pain, anxiety, or infection. This finding requires immediate follow-up to assess the cause and intervene as needed.
• B. Current medications: The client is taking ibuprofen 800 mg three times daily PRN for arthritis pain. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause gastric irritation, ulceration, and bleeding. This finding requires immediate follow-up to evaluate the client’s pain level, medication use, and possible alternatives to NSAIDs.
• C. Blood pressure: The client’s blood pressure is low at 90/50 mm Hg, which could indicate hypovolemia, shock, or cardiac dysfunction. This finding requires immediate follow-up to monitor the client’s fluid status, perfusion, and organ function.
• D. Stool results: The client’s stool tested positive for occult blood and H. pylori bacteria. Occult blood indicates gastrointestinal bleeding, which could be related to the client’s abdominal pain and weight loss. H. pylori is a common cause of peptic ulcer disease, which can also cause bleeding and pain. This finding requires immediate follow-up to confirm the diagnosis and initiate treatment with antibiotics and acid-suppressing drugs.

• H. Hemoglobin and hematocrit: The client’s hemoglobin and hematocrit are low at 9.1 g/dL and 27%, respectively. These values indicate anemia, which could be caused by chronic blood loss, nutritional deficiency, or bone marrow suppression. This finding requires immediate follow-up to determine the etiology and severity of the anemia and provide appropriate therapy such as blood transfusion, iron supplementation, or erythropoietin.

The other findings are not as urgent as the ones above:.

• E. Respiratory rate: The client’s respiratory rate is normal at 18/min. There is no evidence of respiratory distress or hypoxia.
• F. WBC count: The client’s WBC count is normal at 6,700/mm3. There is no indication of infection or inflammation.
• G. Temperature: The client’s temperature is slightly elevated at 37.5° C (99.5° F), but not enough to warrant immediate concern. It could be due to stress, dehydration, or a mild infection. The nurse should monitor the temperature trend and report any significant changes or signs of sepsis.