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?

Choice A rationale
Ovulation will indeed remain the same after a tubal ligation. The procedure involves blocking or sealing the fallopian tubes, which prevents the egg from reaching the uterus. However, the ovaries continue to release eggs.
Choice B rationale
A tubal ligation procedure does not affect the length of the menstrual period. The menstrual cycle is regulated by hormones, not the patency of the fallopian tubes.
Choice C rationale
Premenstrual tension or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is not eliminated by tubal ligation. PMS is related to the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle.
Choice D rationale
Hormone replacements are not needed following a tubal ligation. The ovaries continue to produce hormones as they did before the procedure.

Choice A rationale
The newborn’s symptoms of jitteriness, weak cry, mottled extremities with acrocyanosis, and rapid, unlabored respirations are indicative of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia in the newborn period can be caused by several factors, including maternal diabetes (gestational or pre- existing), preterm birth, and sepsis. The nurse should take actions to address this condition, such as ensuring the newborn is warm, initiating early feeding to provide the newborn with glucose, and monitoring blood glucose levels.
Choice B rationale
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a group of problems that occur in a newborn who was exposed to addictive opiate drugs while in the mother’s womb. NAS can cause a wide range of symptoms such as excessive crying, poor feeding, and seizures. However, the symptoms described in the question are more indicative of hypoglycemia.
Choice C rationale
Cold stress can occur in newborns who are unable to maintain their body temperature within a normal range. While some of the symptoms described, such as mottled skin and acrocyanosis, can occur with cold stress, the presence of jitteriness and a weak cry are more indicative of hypoglycemia.
Choice D rationale
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a common problem in premature babies and is caused by a lack of surfactant in the lungs. While rapid, unlabored respirations can be a sign of RDS, the other symptoms described in the question, such as jitteriness and a weak cry, are not typically associated with RDS2.