A nurse is caring for an infant with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Which of the following statements concerning NAS is false.

Choice A rationale Incessant, high-pitched crying is a hallmark symptom of central nervous system (CNS) hyperirritability observed in infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). This persistent distress is due to the lack of the depressant drug effects in the newborn's system, leading to uncoordinated and exaggerated responses to stimuli. The infant's state is often difficult to soothe, contributing to parental stress and feeding difficulties. Choice B rationale Pharmacological treatment for significant opioid-related withdrawal (NAS) often involves the use of opioids, such as morphine or methadone, to manage severe symptoms, allowing the infant to be weaned gradually from the dependence. For withdrawal from other substances, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, supportive care is primarily used, while for alcohol, benzodiazepines might be used, reflecting substance-specific treatment strategies. Choice C rationale Clustering care minimizes external stimulation and provides periods of uninterrupted rest, which is essential for managing the CNS hyperirritability common in NAS. Furthermore, feeding difficulties are frequent due to poor suck-swallow coordination, tremors, and gastric issues, so dedicated, supportive feeding assistance is a crucial component of the nursing care plan. Choice D rationale Urine and meconium drug screening is absolutely indicated and is crucial for identifying the specific substances the infant was exposed to prenatally. This information is vital for diagnosis, determining the severity of withdrawal (using tools like the Finnegan score), guiding the appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment plan, and initiating social services involvement. —.