In a newborn who appears to be in pain after an invasive procedure, what is the most appropriate nursing action?

• A. Obtain a glucose level.
• B. Administer pain medication.
• C. Feed the newborn.
• D. Request a genetic consultation.

Answer: (B)

Pain relief right after a painful procedure is essential for a newborn. Newborns feel pain and respond with stress responses that can affect heart rate, oxygenation, and comfort, so providing timely analgesia helps minimize these effects and aids recovery. Administering the prescribed pain medication promptly, using the correct dose and route, and then closely monitoring for relief and any adverse effects is the most effective action. After giving analgesia, reassess the baby's pain using an appropriate neonatal pain score and observe for changes in behavior and vital signs to ensure the pain is controlled. Nonpharmacologic comfort measures—such as gentle swaddling, decreasing environmental stimuli, providing containment, or offering a pacifier or oral sucrose for minor procedures—can complement medication, but they don’t replace analgesia when pain is evident. While other concerns like glucose levels or feeding can be important in different contexts, they do not address the immediate need to relieve pain after an invasive procedure, and a genetic consultation isn’t indicated for acute post-procedural pain.