Question

With regard to the understanding and treatment of infants born to mothers who are substance abusers, nurses should be aware that:

a. Infants born to addicted mothers are also addicted.
b. Mothers who abuse one substance likely will use or abuse another, compounding the infant's difficulties.
c. The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) is designed to assess the damage the mother has done to herself.
d. No laboratory procedures are available that can identify the intrauterine drug exposure of the infant.

Answer 1

Nurses should be aware of the addiction risks for infants born to addicted mothers and the need for gradual weaning. The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) is used to assess the neurobehavioral functioning of the infant, not the mother. Laboratory procedures can detect intrauterine drug exposure in infants.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nurses should be aware that infants born to addicted mothers can also be addicted to substances. This means that the infants will need to be gradually weaned from the substances under medical supervision to prevent seizures and other complications. Mothers who abuse one substance are also likely to use or abuse another, which can compound the difficulties for the infant.

The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) is not designed to assess the damage the mother has done to herself, but it is a tool used to assess the neurobehavioral functioning of the infant. It helps identify any withdrawal symptoms or neurodevelopmental issues that may need to be addressed.

Laboratory procedures are available that can identify the intrauterine drug exposure of the infant. These tests can detect the presence of drugs in the baby's urine, meconium (first stool), or hair and provide valuable information for the medical team to determine the best course of treatment.