VATI Maternal Newborn Assessment Related

Review VATI Maternal Newborn Assessment related questions and content

Narcotic analgesia is administered to a laboring patient at 10am. The infant is delivered at 12:30pm. The nurse would anticipate what?

  • A. Neonatal respiratory depression
  • B. Increased infant alertness
  • C. Decreased fetal heart rate variability
  • D. No effects on the neonate
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Narcotic analgesia, when administered to a laboring patient, can cross the placenta and affect the infant. It can cause neonatal respiratory depression in the newborn after delivery. This is because the medication can depress the respiratory drive of the infant, leading to potentially serious breathing problems. It is important for the healthcare provider to closely monitor and assess the newborn for signs of respiratory distress in such cases.