ATI Maternal Newborn Related

Review ATI Maternal Newborn related questions and content

A nurse is assisting with an in-service for newly licensed nurses about neonatal abstinence syndrome in newborns. Which of the following statements by a newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?

  • A. The newborn will have decreased muscle tone.
  • B. The newborn will have a continuous high-pitched cry.
  • C. The newborn will sleep for 2 to 3 hours after a feeding.
  • D. The newborn will have mild tremors when disturbed.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: The newborn will have a continuous high-pitched cry. This is indicative of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to maternal substance use during pregnancy. The high-pitched cry is a common symptom of NAS, reflecting the newborn's central nervous system irritability. The other choices are incorrect because decreased muscle tone (Choice A) is not a typical symptom of NAS, newborns with NAS tend to have increased muscle tone; sleeping for 2 to 3 hours after a feeding (Choice C) is a normal newborn behavior and not specific to NAS; mild tremors when disturbed (Choice D) may occur but are not as characteristic of NAS as the high-pitched cry.