Nokea
The nurse is caring for a 3-week-old preterm newborn born at 29 weeks of gestation. While taking vital signs and changing the newborn's diaper, the nurse observes the newborn's color is pink but slightly mottled, arms and legs are limp and extended, hiccups are present, and heart rate is regular and rapid. The nurse should recognize these behaviors as manifestations of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The behaviors described, such as slightly mottled skin, limp and extended extremities, hiccups, and a rapid but regular heart rate, are typical of preterm newborn behavior. Preterm infants often exhibit these characteristics due to their immature neurological and physiological systems. The mottled skin may be due to the immature vascular system, while the limp and extended extremities are common in preterm newborns as they have less muscle tone compared to full-term infants. Hiccups are also common in newborns, including preterm infants, and are generally not a cause for concern. The rapid heart rate is typical in newborns, particularly in the immediate postnatal period. Therefore, in this scenario, these behaviors are most likely related to the preterm status of the newborn rather than indicating stress, seizures, or respiratory distress.