The nurse is caring for a newborn with suspected neonatal abstinence syndrome.
The mother is currently taking methadone and is in a treatment program.
Which intervention should the nurse implement prior to discharge?

Choice A rationale

Palpating the suprapubic area to assess fetal head position is not relevant to identifying the source of fluid leakage. This technique is used to evaluate fetal engagement in the pelvis, particularly near term, but it does not help in determining whether the fluid leakage is amniotic fluid or urine.

Choice B rationale

Scanning the bladder for urinary retention is unrelated to identifying the nature of fluid leakage. A bladder scan is useful for detecting residual urine volume in the bladder, often post-voiding, and is typically used in cases of urinary retention or post-operative care.

Choice C rationale

Testing the fluid with a nitrazine strip is a standard method to distinguish amniotic fluid from urine or vaginal secretions. Amniotic fluid has a higher pH (usually between 7.0 and 7.5), causing the nitrazine strip to turn blue, whereas urine and vaginal secretions usually have a lower pH, resulting in a yellow or green color on the strip.

Choice D rationale

Inserting a straight urinary catheter to drain the bladder is an invasive procedure that does not directly identify the source of fluid leakage. This technique is typically used to relieve urinary retention or to collect a sterile urine specimen, not for diagnosing amniotic fluid leakage.

Choice A rationale

Genital warts, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), typically present as small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in the genital area. They do not usually cause pain or vesicular lesions like those described. Genital warts may be flat or cauliflower-like in appearance but are generally distinct from the symptoms described in the question.

Choice B rationale

German measles (rubella) is a viral infection characterized by a red rash, mild fever, and swollen lymph nodes. It is not associated with vesicular lesions on the genital area. The virus primarily affects the respiratory system, and symptoms do not typically include shallow vesicles on the pubis, labia, and perineum.

Choice C rationale

Syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, presents in stages. Primary syphilis manifests as a single sore (chancre), while secondary syphilis involves skin rashes and mucous membrane lesions. Tertiary syphilis can cause severe medical problems. The symptoms described do not align with any syphilis stage but rather suggest a different condition.

Choice D rationale

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes painful, shallow vesicles or ulcers in the genital area. HSV lesions are typically small, fluid-filled blisters that can rupture and form ulcers. The client's symptoms of shallow, small vesicles on her pubis, labia, and perineum are indicative of genital herpes.