A nurse is reinforcing teaching about the purpose of quadruple screening for a client who is at 16 weeks of gestation. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

A. Accountability: Accountability refers to the nurse being responsible for their actions, decisions, and the outcomes of care provided. While important, simply explaining the purpose of a medication does not directly demonstrate accountability.

B. Autonomy: Autonomy involves supporting a client’s right to make informed decisions about their own care. The nurse’s explanation provides information but does not itself constitute enabling the client’s decision-making; additional discussion and consent would be required to demonstrate autonomy.

C. Veracity: Veracity is the ethical principle of truthfulness. By accurately explaining that furosemide is a diuretic that removes excess fluid, the nurse is providing truthful, clear information, allowing the client to understand their treatment and fostering trust.

D. Justice: Justice involves treating clients fairly and equitably, ensuring equal access to care and resources. Explaining the purpose of a prescribed medication is not an example of justice, as it pertains to truthful communication rather than fairness or resource allocation.

A. Poor feeding: Newborns experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) often have neurologic irritability and gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by withdrawal from in utero exposure to opioids or other substances. Poor feeding, along with vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive sucking, is a common manifestation.

B. Weak cry: Infants with NAS typically have a high-pitched, shrill, or incessant cry due to central nervous system hyperactivity. A weak or soft cry is not characteristic and may suggest other neurologic conditions rather than withdrawal.

C. Hypotonia: NAS usually presents with hypertonia, jitteriness, and tremors. Hypotonia is not a typical finding; decreased muscle tone may indicate a different neurologic or metabolic disorder.

D. Absent Moro reflex: The Moro reflex is generally intact or exaggerated in infants with NAS because of increased neuromuscular irritability. An absent reflex is more consistent with severe neurologic impairment rather than substance withdrawal.