A nurse is assisting with planning care for a newborn who is experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Poor feeding: Newborns experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) often have neurologic irritability and gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by withdrawal from in utero exposure to opioids or other substances. Poor feeding, along with vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive sucking, is a common manifestation. B. Weak cry: Infants with NAS typically have a high-pitched, shrill, or incessant cry due to central nervous system hyperactivity. A weak or soft cry is not characteristic and may suggest other neurologic conditions rather than withdrawal. C. Hypotonia: NAS usually presents with hypertonia, jitteriness, and tremors. Hypotonia is not a typical finding; decreased muscle tone may indicate a different neurologic or metabolic disorder. D. Absent Moro reflex: The Moro reflex is generally intact or exaggerated in infants with NAS because of increased neuromuscular irritability. An absent reflex is more consistent with severe neurologic impairment rather than substance withdrawal.