A pregnant woman tells the perinatal nurse that she stopped ...

[nevelica]

A pregnant woman tells the perinatal nurse that she stopped abusing other drugs when she learned that she was pregnant but kept using marijuana because it is so harmless. What response by the nurse is best?
 
  A.
  Agree with the patient that marijuana is less dangerous than other drugs.
  B.
  Ask the patient what other drugs she used before discovering she was pregnant.
  C.
  Inform the mother that the child may have withdrawal syndrome after birth.
  D.
  Tell the mother that marijuana use can affect language and cognitive development.

Question 2

A neonate whose mother is a drug addict is listless and sweating. What action by the nurse takes priority?
 
  A.
  Check the baby's blood sugar.
  B.
  Have the mother hold the baby to her skin.
  C.
  Obtain an oxygen saturation.
  D.
  Place the baby on a cardiac monitor.

[dantucker]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Marijuana use is associated with carbon monoxide levels five times higher than those produced with cigarettes and can lead to intrauterine growth restriction and abnormal neonatal neurobehavior (hyperirritability, tremors, photosensitivity). Marijuana can also lead to cognitive and language abnormalities up to 48 months of age. The nurse should not agree that it is less dangerous than other drugs, but should also not tell the mother the child may have withdrawal syndrome, as that information is incorrect. Assessing the mother for a complete history of drug use is important, but is not directly related to the effects of marijuana, and is less important.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Babies born of mothers who have used amphetamines during pregnancy may exhibit hypoglycemia, sweating, poor visual tracking, lethargy, and difficulty feeding. The nurse would conclude that the baby may be at risk for hypoglycemia because he or she has other manifestations of this syndrome and should check the blood sugar. If low, the blood glucose can be treated quickly. The other options may be valuable, but do not take priority over this assessment.