The nurse observes a male newborn who is displaying a rigid posture with his eyes tightly closed and grimacing as he is crying after an invasive procedure. The baby's blood pressure is elevated on the Dinamap display. What action should the nurse implement?

• A. Obtain a serum glucose level.
• B. Give the infant medication for pain.
• C. Feed the newborn 1 ounce of formula.
• D. Request a genetic consultation.

Answer: (B)

Neonates express pain through clear behavioral and autonomic cues, and this newborn’s rigid posture, grimacing, tightly closed eyes, and crying after an invasive procedure point to significant pain. The accompanying elevated blood pressure reflects a stress response driven by pain and sympathetic activation. The most appropriate response is to relieve the infant’s pain promptly with appropriate analgesia. Providing medication for pain helps calm the distress, stabilizes vital signs, and supports a smoother recovery after the procedure.

Other options don’t address the immediate need in the same way. Checking a glucose level isn’t addressing the evident distress and pain, feeding won’t alleviate the acute pain and could complicate the post-procedure state, and a genetic consultation isn’t relevant to an acute pain response after an invasive procedure.