At a prenatal visit at 36 weeks' gestation, a client complains of discomfort with irregularly occurring contractions (Braxton Hicks contractions). The nurse instructs the client to:

Rationales for Each Condition

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

1. Temperature: Infants experiencing NAS often have difficulty regulating body temperature due to autonomic instability. While the newborn's temperature of 36.6°C (97.9°F) is within normal range, the use of a radiant warmer suggests challenges in maintaining thermoregulation, which is characteristic of NAS.
2. Jitteriness: Jitteriness is observed in both hypoglycemia and NAS. In NAS, it is caused by neurological excitability due to opioid withdrawal, leading to tremors and hypertonia, which improve with soothing measures such as swaddling.
3. Skin Color: Mottling is a frequent sign in neonates experiencing opioid withdrawal due to autonomic dysregulation. The absence of cyanosis or jaundice indicates that the mottling is due to withdrawal rather than an underlying pathology.
4. GI Assessment: Loose stools and hyperactive bowel sounds are typical signs of NAS, caused by increased gastrointestinal motility due to withdrawal from opioids.

Hypoglycemia

1. Jitteriness: Hypoglycemia is characterized by neuromuscular instability, leading to jitteriness. However, in this case, the newborn’s blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL is within acceptable neonatal range, making NAS a more likely explanation.
2. Temperature, Skin Color, and GI Assessment: Hypoglycemia does not typically cause mottled skin or loose stools, making these findings more consistent with NAS.

Choice A rationale: Primigravida

Primigravida (first-time pregnancy) is a known risk factor for preeclampsia. Studies show that nulliparous individuals (those who have never given birth before) have a higher likelihood of developing preeclampsia compared to multiparous individuals. The exact reason is not fully understood, but it is thought that immunological adaptation plays a role.

Choice B rationale: Age

Advanced maternal age (≥35 years) is a recognized risk factor for preeclampsia. This client is 36 years old, which places her in the higher-risk category. Older maternal age is associated with increased vascular dysfunction and underlying chronic conditions that predispose individuals to preeclampsia.

Choice C rationale: Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus significantly increases the risk of preeclampsia due to its impact on vascular health. Diabetes affects endothelial function and can cause chronic inflammation, both of which contribute to hypertension and proteinuria, hallmark symptoms of preeclampsia. Additionally, diabetes increases the risk of abnormal placentation, further raising the chances of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Choice D rationale: Hemoglobin level

A hemoglobin level of 12.5 g/dL is within the normal range and does not contribute to an increased risk for preeclampsia. While anemia is sometimes associated with preeclampsia, a normal hemoglobin level does not raise concern in this case. Therefore, hemoglobin is not a risk factor for preeclampsia in this patient.