When observing a drug-exposed newborn, what symptom suggests that the newborn may be exhibiting withdrawal symptoms?

Choice A reason:

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects movement, posture, and muscle tone. It can be caused by brain damage that occurs before, during, or after birth. Premature babies are at a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy because they are more likely to have bleeding in the brain, lack of oxygen to the brain, infections or other complications that can damage the brain.

Choice B reason:

Color blindness is a condition that affects the ability to see colors or differences in colors. It is usually inherited and not related to prematurity. However, some premature babies may develop retinopathy of prematurity, which can affect their vision in other ways.

Choice C reason:

Learning disabilities are problems that affect the ability to learn, read, write, speak or do math. They can be caused by genetic factors, environmental factors or brain injuries.

Premature babies are more likely to have learning disabilities because they are more likely to have brain damage, low birth weight, infections or other complications that can affect their brain development.

Choice D reason:

Retinopathy is a disease that affects the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. Retinopathy of prematurity is a condition that occurs when the blood vessels in the retina grow abnormally in premature babies. This can cause bleeding, scarring or detachment of the retina, which can lead to vision loss or blindness.

Choice E reason:

Apnea is a condition that causes pauses in breathing during sleep. Apnea of prematurity is a condition that affects premature babies who have not fully developed their nervous system and respiratory system. This can cause them to stop breathing for more than 20 seconds at a time, which can lower their oxygen levels and heart rate.

Choice A reason:

Infection is not prevented by vitamin K administration. Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting, not for fighting infections. Newborns are given vitamin K injections to prevent a serious disease called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN), which is caused by bleeding in the brain or other organs.

Choice B reason:

Hyperbilirubinemia is not prevented by vitamin K administration. Hyperbilirubinemia is a condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the blood, causing jaundice. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells break down. Vitamin K does not affect the production or breakdown of bilirubin.

Choice C reason:

Bleeding is prevented by vitamin K administration. Vitamin K is needed for the synthesis of several clotting factors that help stop bleeding when there is an injury. Newborns have very low levels of vitamin K in their bodies because they do not get enough from the placenta or breast milk, and they do not have enough bacteria in their intestines to produce it. This puts them at risk for VKDB, which can cause life-threatening bleeding in the brain or other organs.

Choice D reason:

Potassium deficiency is not prevented by vitamin K administration. Potassium is an electrolyte that is important for nerve and muscle function, as well as fluid balance. Vitamin K does not affect the absorption or excretion of potassium.