Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Resource

The presentation of generalized depression and poor muscle tone in a one-hour-old neonate, particularly at 36 weeks of gestation, is consistent with a seizure disorder. In neonates, seizures can manifest as generalized hypotonia (poor muscle tone) and lethargy, indicating an underlying neurological condition that may arise from various causes such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, metabolic disturbances, or intraventricular hemorrhage.

When considering clinical scenarios, it's crucial to understand that newborns are particularly vulnerable to acute events in the perinatal period that could affect their neurological status. Seizures can lead to the symptoms observed, and monitoring for other signs of potential neurological compromise would be essential in such cases.

The other conditions listed do not typically present in the same manner during the immediate postpartum period. Multiple sclerosis, for instance, is an autoimmune condition that primarily affects adults and is not relevant in this neonatal context. Phenylketonuria, a metabolic disorder, would not present so acutely and would generally become apparent later when dietary restrictions and screening are performed. Chronic lung disease is associated with respiratory difficulties and would not account for generalized depression and hypotonia in a newborn.

In summary, the combination of generalized depression and poor muscle tone in