Final answer:
The priority maternal assessment should focus on inquiring about Alcohol use during pregnancy since the observed physical characteristics of the newborn are indicative of fetal alcohol syndrome, a preventable condition caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is assessing a newborn infant and observes low set ears, short palpebral fissures, flat nasal bridge, and indistinct philtrum. A priority maternal assessment by the nurse should be to ask about Alcohol use during pregnancy because these characteristics may indicate the infant has been affected by fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is a condition that can occur when a mother consumes alcohol during pregnancy. It is characterized by a combination of physical anomalies, cognitive impairments, and behavioral problems. The risk and severity of FASDs depend on the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, as well as the timing during pregnancy when the exposure occurs. No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy, and FASDs are entirely preventable by abstaining from alcohol while pregnant or trying to conceive.