A nurse is assessing a newborn who has neonatal abstinence syndrome. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Rationale:

A. A temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F) may be within the normal range, but it can also indicate a fever, which is common with endometritis.

B. A WBC count of 9,000/mm3 is within the normal range, but it may be elevated in response to infection such as endometritis.

C. Scant lochia is not typically associated with endometritis; instead, clients with endometritis may have increased or foul-smelling lochia.

D. Uterine tenderness is a common finding in clients with endometritis, as the infection causes inflammation and discomfort in the uterine lining.

A. "The car seat should be positioned in the car at a 45-degree angle." This statement is correct and indicates an understanding of car seat safety. Positioning the car seat at a 45-degree angle helps prevent the newborn's head from flopping forward, which could obstruct the airway. Proper positioning ensures both safety and comfort during travel.

B. "My baby will need a car seat challenge test before discharge." This statement is incorrect for a newborn delivered at 38 weeks of gestation. A car seat challenge test is typically required for premature infants (less than 37 weeks gestation) or those with specific health conditions to ensure they can tolerate sitting in a car seat without respiratory or cardiac issues.

C. "When my baby is 1 year old, I can turn their car seat facing forward." Incorrect. It is recommended to keep infants in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit recommended by the car seat manufacturer, typically well beyond the first year of life.

D. “I can use a sleep sack to keep my baby warm in the car seat." While using a sleep sack can keep a baby warm, it's important not to use any additional padding or blankets in the car seat as they can interfere with the proper harness fit and increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.