A nurse is caring for a client during delivery.
What is a priority action of the nurse to promote parent-infant bonding immediately after delivery?

Choice A rationale

Changing the dressing on a cesarean incision for a patient who is 1 day post-op requires sterile technique and assessment skills, which are beyond the scope of practice for assistive personnel (AP). This task should be performed by a licensed nurse.

Choice B rationale

Documenting the lochia amount on the perineal pad of a client who just transferred from labor and delivery involves assessment and documentation, which are nursing responsibilities. This task should not be delegated to AP.

Choice C rationale

Assessing an area of redness on the breast of a client who is 4 days postpartum requires clinical judgment and assessment skills, which are within the scope of practice for a licensed nurse. This task should not be delegated to AP.

Choice D rationale

Providing a sitz bath to a client who has a third-degree laceration and is 2 days postpartum is an appropriate task for AP. It is a comfort measure that does not require clinical judgment or assessment skills, making it suitable for delegation to AP.

Choice A rationale

Teaching the parents how to swaddle is important for newborn care, but it is not the priority action immediately after delivery to promote parent-infant bonding. Skin-to-skin contact is more effective in establishing an initial bond.

Choice B rationale

Positioning the infant on the client’s chest for skin-to-skin care is the priority action to promote parent-infant bonding immediately after delivery. Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate the infant’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing, and promotes bonding through physical closeness and sensory interaction.

Choice C rationale

Offering to take the newborn to the nursery so the parents may nap is not the priority action for promoting bonding immediately after delivery. While rest is important, the initial moments after birth are crucial for establishing a bond through direct contact.

Choice D rationale

Assessing the infant under the radiant warmer is important for ensuring the infant’s health, but it is not the priority action for promoting parent-infant bonding immediately after delivery. Skin-to-skin contact should be prioritized unless there are medical concerns that require immediate attention. .