Practice Question
A 2-day old newborn is observed to be restless, irritable, sucking on its fist, and crying. What action should the nurse take first?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Swaddle the infant with hands near its mouth.
Rationale:
🟢 Swaddling with hands near the mouth is a non-pharmacological intervention that helps soothe infants experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).
🟢 This technique allows the newborn to engage in self-soothing behaviors like sucking, which decreases irritability and promotes regulation.
🟢 It is important to use comfort measures first before any invasive assessments or feeding, especially if symptoms may be withdrawal-related.
🟢 The signs—restlessness, irritability, fist-sucking—are characteristic of NAS, especially in infants exposed to substances in utero.
🟢 Early calming strategies prevent overstimulation and worsening of symptoms, supporting stability and neurodevelopment.
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This question is from RN ATI maternal Newborn Care~Nur213 which contains 40 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Maternal & Newborn Care
- Answer Choices: 4