Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

What does non-nutritive sucking with a pacifier promote in a newborn with post-operative gastroschisis repair?

1. Improved feeding reflex

2. Reduced pain

3. Faster weight gain

4. Enhanced respiratory status

The correct answer is: Reduced pain

Non-nutritive sucking with a pacifier is an important practice in neonatal care, especially for newborns who have undergone surgical procedures such as gastroschisis repair. This practice is known to have calming effects and is frequently used as a method to manage pain in neonatal patients. When a newborn engages in non-nutritive sucking, it can stimulate the release of endogenous opioids and other neurochemicals that contribute to pain relief. This natural mechanism plays a significant role in reducing the perception of pain during the critical post-operative period. The act of sucking itself provides comfort and distraction, potentially decreasing the stress response and promoting a sense of security, which is particularly beneficial following surgery. While non-nutritive sucking may also contribute to other aspects of development, such as establishing feeding patterns or enhancing respiratory function indirectly, its primary and most immediate effect in the context of a post-operative scenario is the reduction of pain. Therefore, focusing on pain management through non-nutritive sucking with a pacifier is especially crucial in the care of infants recovering from surgical interventions like gastroschisis repair.