A nurse is developing a plan of care for a newborn whose mother tested positive for heroin during pregnancy.

The newborn is experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan?

The correct answer is B.

Assist the adolescent in applying for Medicaid.

This action demonstrates the nurse’s role as an advocate and a resource person for the client, who might be eligible for financial assistance and health care coverage during her pregnancy and postpartum period. Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health insurance for low-income individuals and families.

Choice A is wrong because contacting the adolescent’s parent for assistance might violate the client’s confidentiality and autonomy, especially if the parent is not aware of or supportive of the pregnancy. The nurse should respect the client’s right to privacy and self-determination, unless there is a risk of harm to the client or the fetus.

Choice C is wrong because referring the adolescent to a local mental health clinic might imply that the client has a mental disorder or needs psychological counseling, which could be stigmatizing and discouraging.

The nurse should assess the client’s emotional state and coping skills, and provide supportive and nonjudgmental care. The nurse can also offer referrals to other community resources, such as prenatal education, parenting classes, or social services, that might benefit the client.

Choice D is wrong because advising the adolescent to place the newborn for adoption might interfere with the client’s decision-making process and personal values.

The nurse should not impose his or her own opinions or beliefs on the client, but rather explore the client’s feelings and preferences about her pregnancy options. The nurse should provide factual information and education about adoption, abortion, or parenting, and help the client weigh the benefits and risks of each option.

The correct answer is choice C. The nurse should ask the client what the voices are telling them, because this can help assess the client’s risk for harm to self or others, and also show empathy and respect for the client’s experience.

The nurse should not assume that the client’s hallucinations are related to medication noncompliance, as this can be perceived as accusatory and judgmental (choice A).

The nurse should not focus on the duration of the hallucinations, as this is not the priority at this time (choice B).

The nurse should not invalidate the client’s reality by stating that they do not hear anything, as this can cause mistrust and alienation (choice D).

The nurse should use therapeutic communication techniques to establish rapport and safety with the client who has schizophrenia.