A nurse is assessing a term newborn who is 48 hours old.
The mother has a history of opioid use during pregnancy and was prescribed methadone.
Based on the findings 24 hours later, how should the nurse interpret the findings?
Transient strabismus
Mottling
Respiratory rate of 70/min
Loose stools
Regurgitation
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Transient strabismus, or temporary misalignment of the eyes, is not typically a symptom observed in newborns exposed to opioids during pregnancy.
Choice B rationale
Mottling, or patchy skin color, is a common physical characteristic in newborns and is not specifically associated with opioid exposure during pregnancy.
Choice C rationale
A respiratory rate of 70/min is significantly higher than the normal range for a newborn, which is typically between 30 and 60 breaths per minute. This could be a sign of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a group of conditions caused by withdrawal from certain drugs that the newborn was exposed to in the womb.
Choice D rationale
Loose stools are not typically associated with opioid exposure during pregnancy.
Choice E rationale
Regurgitation, or spitting up, is common in newborns and is not specifically associated with opioid exposure during pregnancy.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The first action the nurse should take when caring for a client who has bladder distention following a vaginal birth is to assist the client to the bathroom. Bladder distention can occur after birth due to the pressure on the bladder during labour and birth.
Encouraging the client to empty her bladder will relieve the distention and promote comfort.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is administered to newborns to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, also known as ophthalmia neonatorum, specifically for Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection prevention. If the guardian refuses the administration of erythromycin, the healthcare provider should respect the guardian’s decision and document the refusal. It’s important to note that the refusal should be informed, meaning the guardian should understand the potential risks associated with not administering the medication.
Choice B rationale
Informing the guardian that the medication can be given after discharge may not be the best course of action. The purpose of the ointment is to prevent infection immediately after birth when the risk is highest. Delaying the administration could potentially increase the risk of the newborn developing an infection.
Choice C rationale
Reporting the guardian’s refusal of the medication to social services is not the first step unless there are other concerns about the safety or well-being of the child. The healthcare provider should respect the guardian’s autonomy and their right to make informed decisions about the newborn’s care.
Choice D rationale
Notifying the facility’s ethics committee about the guardian’s medication refusal is not typically necessary unless the refusal puts the newborn at significant risk and other attempts to resolve the situation have failed. In this case, the refusal of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, while not ideal, is not likely to warrant an ethics consultation.
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