A drug-exposed child is defined as which of the following?

A drug-exposed child is defined as which of the following?

• A. A child who uses drugs.
• B. A child who has been exposed to or experiences withdrawal from drugs that could affect them.
• C. A child in foster care.
• D. A child with no exposure.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that drug exposure refers to substances the child has been exposed to, typically during pregnancy, and any withdrawal effects after birth. When a mother uses drugs during pregnancy, the fetus can receive those substances, and the newborn can go through withdrawal, which can impact health and development. That makes the description of a child who has been exposed to or experiences withdrawal from drugs the most accurate definition of a drug-exposed child. Being a child who uses drugs, or being in foster care, or having no exposure do not define drug exposure in this context.

The key idea is that drug exposure refers to substances the child has been exposed to, typically during pregnancy, and any withdrawal effects after birth. When a mother uses drugs during pregnancy, the fetus can receive those substances, and the newborn can go through withdrawal, which can impact health and development. That makes the description of a child who has been exposed to or experiences withdrawal from drugs the most accurate definition of a drug-exposed child. Being a child who uses drugs, or being in foster care, or having no exposure do not define drug exposure in this context.