A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 56 hours old.
Vital Signs: At 07:00: Awake, alert, and crying.
The color is pink with acrocyanosis.
The respiratory rate is 70/min with no retractions, grunting, or nasal flaring noted.
Jitteriness is noted in the hands.
At 07:20: Attempted to feed the newborn.
Poor feeding and poor suck were noted.
Loose stool was observed in the diaper, which was then changed.
Which of the following assessment findings is consistent with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)?
Awake, alert, and crying
pink with acrocyanosis
A respiratory rate of 70/min
Jitteriness in the hands
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale: An awake, alert, and crying newborn is a common observation and does not specifically indicate Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Newborns have varying sleep-wake cycles, and it’s normal for them to have periods of being awake and alert. Crying is also a normal behavior for newborns as it’s their primary means of communication. It could indicate a variety of needs such as hunger, the need for a diaper change, or just the need for comfort and contact. Therefore, while an excessively crying baby could potentially be a sign of discomfort or distress, it is
not specifically indicative of NAS.
Choice B rationale: The presence of acrocyanosis, which is the bluish color of the hands and feet, is a normal finding in the first 24 to 48 hours of life due to immature circulation. It’s not specifically associated with NAS. NAS is a group of problems that occur in a newborn who was exposed to addictive opiate drugs while in the mother’s womb. Acrocyanosis is generally not a symptom of NAS.
Choice C rationale: A respiratory rate of 70/min is higher than the normal range (30-60/min) for a newborn and could indicate respiratory distress. However, it’s not specifically indicative of NAS. There are many potential causes of tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) in a newborn, including transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), pneumonia, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), and more. While infants with NAS may experience symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, and rapid breathing, a high respiratory rate alone is not specifically indicative of NAS.
Choice D rationale: Jitteriness in the hands of a newborn can be a sign of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). NAS is a drug withdrawal syndrome in newborns that occurs primarily among opioid-exposed infants shortly after birth, often manifested by central nervous system irritability, autonomic overreactivity, and gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. Jitteriness or tremors, especially when disturbed, along with other signs such as high-pitched crying, poor feeding, and
loose stools, are more indicative of NAS.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Perinatal asphyxia refers to a lack of oxygen flow to the fetus around the time of birth. This can lead to multiple organ dysfunction and neurological issues, but it is not a common cause of a newborn being small for gestational age.
Choice B rationale
Preterm delivery can result in a newborn being small for their gestational age simply because they have not had the full amount of time to grow in the womb. However, preterm babies are typically compared to other preterm babies when assessing size, not to full-term babies.
Choice C rationale
Fetal hyperinsulinemia, or an excess of insulin in the fetus, can lead to excessive growth and a larger-than-average baby size (macrosomia), not a smaller size.
Choice D rationale
Placental insufficiency, where the placenta does not work as well as it should, can limit the amount of oxygen and nutrients the fetus receives. This can restrict the baby’s growth, leading to a small size for gestational age.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Cerebral manifestations such as a mild headache can be a sign of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the liver and kidneys. This should be reported to the provider.
Choice B rationale
Gastrointestinal assessment findings such as heartburn can be common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the growing uterus pressing on the stomach. However, severe or persistent heartburn may indicate a more serious condition like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or preeclampsia. This should be reported to the provider.
Choice C rationale
Respiratory rate alone, without knowing whether it’s increased, decreased, or normal, is not enough information to determine if it should be reported to the provider.
Choice D rationale
Deep tendon reflexes can be hyperactive in clients with preeclampsia. An increase in deep tendon reflexes can be a sign of worsening preeclampsia and should be reported to the provider.
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