The nurse is caring for a couple who are in the labor and delivery unit immediately after the birth of a stillborn baby who exhibited severe birth defects. Which of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?
Advise the parents that their baby had birth defects.
Discourage the parents from naming the baby.
Give the parents a lock of the baby’s hair and a copy of the footprint sheet, and let them hold the baby.
Transport the baby to the morgue as soon as possible to avoid further emotional distress.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Advising about birth defects without offering compassionate support can intensify parental grief and fails to acknowledge the significance of their emotional trauma, worsening their psychological response after a stillbirth.
Choice B rationale
Discouraging naming deters parental acknowledgment of their baby's existence, which disrupts grieving processes. Recognizing their loss helps families process grief healthily and facilitates emotional closure.
Choice C rationale
Giving mementos and allowing holding the baby fosters parental bonding and validates their loss. These actions are supported by bereavement care guidelines promoting emotional processing, acceptance, and closure after stillbirth.
Choice D rationale
Immediate morgue transport disregards the psychological needs of grieving parents and deprives them of opportunities to spend time with their baby, essential for acknowledging their loss and beginning grief processing.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Placing the infant prone increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), particularly for neonates. Supine positioning reduces this risk and is supported by evidence-based guidelines for infant care.
Choice B rationale
Tightly swaddling and dimming lights mimic the in utero environment, reducing overstimulation and promoting self-regulation. This is especially vital for neonates with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), who are sensitive to external stimuli.
Choice C rationale
Providing excessive stimulation can exacerbate stress responses in neonates with NAS. This may manifest as increased crying, irritability, and tachycardia, worsening their fragile physiological state.
Choice D rationale
Feeding half-strength formula is not advised as it may cause inadequate caloric intake and impaired weight gain. Normal feeding practices, with proper intervals, are crucial to supporting healthy growth and development.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Postpartum depression with psychotic features may lead to suicidal ideation or infanticidal tendencies due to delusions or hallucinations. Ensuring safety is critical to prevent harm to both mother and infant.
Choice B rationale
Anger outbursts, though concerning, do not pose immediate threats like harm to self or infant. Addressing this behavior is secondary to prioritizing safety in severe postpartum psychosis cases.
Choice C rationale
Neglecting hygiene reflects depressive symptoms but does not indicate psychosis severity or imminent danger. Primary focus remains on managing safety risks to the mother and infant.
Choice D rationale
Losing trust in her husband is relevant to interpersonal stress but does not constitute a primary care concern. The immediate threat of harm takes precedence over marital dynamics.
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