Question

The LVN observes a newborn born to a mother who is addicted to heroin. What will the LVN expect to observe?

a) Increased alertness and activity
b) Normal weight and length
c) Signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome
d) Rapid weight gain

Answer 1

The LVN should expect a newborn born to a mother addicted to heroin to show signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome, not rapid weight gain or increased alertness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The LVN can expect to observe signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in a newborn born to a mother who is addicted to heroin. NAS is a group of conditions caused when a baby withdraws from certain drugs it's exposed to in the womb before birth. Symptoms of NAS can vary from irritability, high-pitched crying, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, poor feeding, and even seizures. Due to these symptoms and the associated feeding difficulties, rapid weight gain is unlikely, and the baby may not have normal weight and length.