A nurse is assisting in the care of a newborn who is 72 hours old and is receiving treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Exhibits

Which of the following data collection findings should the nurse identify as requiring immediate follow-up? (Select all that apply.).

Choice A:

Lidocaine gel to the umbilical stump is not a medication that the nurse should expect to administer to a newborn immediately following birth. Lidocaine gel is a topical anesthetic that is used to numb the skin before procedures such as injections or sutures. It is not indicated for the umbilical stump, which does not require any anesthesia.

Choice B:

Hepatitis B immunization is a medication that the nurse should expect to administer to a newborn immediately following birth. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause liver damage and cancer. The immunization protects the newborn from contracting the infection from the mother or other sources. The immunization is given as an intramuscular injection in the anterolateral thigh within 12 hours of birth.

Choice C:

Phytonadione injection is a medication that the nurse should expect to administer to a newborn immediately following birth. Phytonadione is also known as vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. Newborns have low levels of vitamin K at birth, which puts them at risk of bleeding disorders such as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. The injection is given as a single dose of 0.5 to 1 mg in the vastus lateralis muscle within 1 hour of birth.

Choice D:

Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment is a medication that the nurse should expect to administer to a newborn immediately following birth. Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment prevents eye infections caused by bacteria such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, which can be transmitted from the mother during delivery. The ointment is applied to both eyes within 1 hour of birth.

Choice E:

Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib) is not a medication that the nurse should expect to administer to a newborn immediately following birth. Hib is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and other serious illnesses. The vaccine protects the newborn from Hib infection, but it is not given at birth. The vaccine is part of the routine immunization schedule and is usually given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.

Choice A:

Blood pressure. The normal blood pressure range for a newborn is 60 to 80 mm Hg systolic and 40 to 50 mm Hg diastolic. The baby's blood pressure is low, which could indicate shock, dehydration, infection, or heart failure. This requires immediate follow-up to identify and treat the cause.

Choice B:

Gastrointestinal disturbances. Gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which is a withdrawal syndrome of infants after birth caused by in-utero exposure to drugs of dependence, most commonly opioids. These symptoms are not life-threatening and can be managed with supportive care such as hydration, nutrition, and comfort measures.

Choice C:

Skin color. Skin color is not a reliable indicator of NAS, as it can vary depending on the baby's ethnicity, temperature, oxygenation, and circulation. Skin color alone does not require immediate follow-up unless it is accompanied by other signs of distress such as cyanosis, pallor, or jaundice.

Choice D:

NAS score. NAS score is a tool used to assess the severity of withdrawal symptoms in infants with NAS. It includes items such as tremors, irritability, sleep problems, muscle tone, reflexes, seizures, yawning, sneezing, feeding, vomiting, stooling and temperature. A high NAS score indicates that the baby needs more intensive treatment such as medication to ease the withdrawal process. A low NAS score indicates that the baby is coping well and may not need medication. The NAS score should be monitored frequently and adjusted according to the baby's response.

Choice E:

Temperature. The normal temperature range for a newborn is 36.5 to 37.5°C (97.7 to 99.5°F). The baby's temperature is high, which could indicate infection, dehydration or hyperthermia. This requires immediate follow-up to identify and treat the cause.

Choice F:

Oxygen saturation. The normal oxygen saturation range for a newborn is 95 to 100%. The baby's oxygen saturation is within the normal range and does not require immediate follow- up unless it drops below 90% or rises above 100%, which could indicate hypoxia or hyperoxia respectively.

Choice G:

Central nervous system disturbances. Central nervous system disturbances such as seizures, tremors, irritability, and overactive reflexes are common symptoms of NAS. These symptoms are not life-threatening and can be managed with supportive care such as swaddling, rocking, dimming lights, and reducing noise.

Choice H:

Respiratory rate. The normal respiratory rate range for a newborn is 40 to 60 breaths per minute. The baby's respiratory rate is high, which could indicate respiratory distress, infection, pain, or anxiety. This requires immediate follow-up to identify and treat the cause.