A primipara mother has delivered a newborn baby with a cleft lip. While assessing the newborn, the nurse should be alert for which of the following at risk for being compromised?

Explanation

•Because of the defect, the child may be unable to form the mouth adequately around the nipple, thereby requiring special devices to allow for feeding and sucking.

•Some infants having cleft lip have an accompanying deviated nasal septum that can impair air movement. However, there is no mention of a deviated septum.

•The GI function or mobility are not compromised in a patient with cleft lip.

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