What signs or symptoms should a nurse expect in a neonate born to a mother addicted to cocaine?

In the case of a neonate exposed to cocaine in utero, specific signs and symptoms can manifest as a result of the drug's effect on fetal development and the newborn's transition to the external environment. Tremors, irritability, and hypertension are classic symptoms often observed in infants who have been affected by maternal cocaine use.

Tremors are indicative of withdrawal symptoms since cocaine can lead to changes in the baby’s neurological status. The irritability reflects the baby's heightened state of arousal and potential discomfort due to the absence of the substance they were exposed to in the womb. Hypertension can also develop in these infants as a response to the stimulant effects of cocaine, which can lead to abnormal cardiovascular responses.

While severe jaundice, respiratory distress, hyperactivity, excessive crying, low birth weight, and poor feeding can occur in neonates exposed to various substances or conditions, they are not as specific or direct indicators of cocaine exposure as the symptoms mentioned. Therefore, tremors, irritability, and hypertension best capture the clinical presentation expected in a neonate born to a mother addicted to cocaine.