Which reaction is usually exhibited first by the family of an infant who has died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
Queries regarding the etiology of the diagnosis.
Acceptance of the diagnosis.
Feelings of blame or guilt.
Requests for the infant's belongings.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
While queries regarding etiology eventually arise, the immediate emotional response of parents to the sudden and unexpected death of an infant from SIDS is often profound shock and a strong sense of personal culpability. The search for a "reason why" typically follows the initial surge of intense emotional distress and self-blame.
Choice B rationale
Acceptance is a much later stage in the grief process and is rarely the initial reaction to a traumatic loss like SIDS. The suddenness and unexplained nature of SIDS often lead to prolonged denial, disbelief, and a struggle to comprehend the event before any form of acceptance can begin to manifest.
Choice C rationale
Feelings of blame or guilt are almost universally the initial and most intense reactions experienced by parents following an infant's death from SIDS. The unexplained nature of the death often leads parents to scrutinize their actions, believing they somehow failed to protect their child, even when no identifiable cause is found.
Choice D rationale
Requests for an infant's belongings may occur at various points during the grieving process, representing a desire to hold onto memories or tangible connections. However, this is not typically the very first reaction, which is dominated by overwhelming emotional shock, grief, and often profound self-blame and guilt.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Assessing for general allergies is a good nursing practice but is not the most immediate priority when a client presents with a firm, reddened area after a "few days ago" allergy test, especially in the context of suspected pneumonia. This finding strongly suggests a specific type IV hypersensitivity reaction, common in tuberculosis screening.
Choice B rationale
Requesting records is important for comprehensive care, but delaying immediate action based on a highly suggestive clinical finding is not the best initial response. The appearance of the "allergy test" result is a critical piece of information that warrants immediate action to protect others.
Choice C rationale
A firm, reddened area on an "allergy test" a few days prior, especially with suspected pneumonia, is highly indicative of a positive tuberculin skin test (TST), signifying a past or present *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* infection. This necessitates immediate Airborne Precautions to prevent transmission of potential active tuberculosis, given the pulmonary symptoms.
Choice D rationale
Administering intravenous antibiotics for pneumonia is appropriate if bacterial pneumonia is confirmed. However, the presence of a positive TST-like reaction shifts the immediate priority to preventing airborne transmission of tuberculosis, requiring isolation measures *before* starting broad-spectrum antibiotics for pneumonia, which may not even be the primary issue.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While medications and herbal supplements can impact various physiological systems, they are not typically the direct cause of a barrel chest deformity. This specific anatomical change, characterized by an increased AP diameter, reflects chronic pulmonary overinflation rather than acute pharmacological effects, making a query about medications less relevant to the immediate observation.
Choice B rationale
An anteroposterior (AP) chest diameter that is similar to the lateral diameter, commonly known as a barrel chest, is a hallmark sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) such as emphysema. This anatomical change results from chronic air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, leading to a sustained elevation of the diaphragm and increased anterior-posterior thoracic expansion.
Choice C rationale
Regular aerobic exercise generally improves cardiovascular and respiratory fitness, potentially mitigating some effects of respiratory compromise. However, the presence of a barrel chest indicates a pre-existing chronic respiratory pathology that exercise alone cannot correct or directly cause. Therefore, inquiring about exercise frequency is not the most pertinent question regarding this specific physical finding.
Choice D rationale
Certain occupations (e.g., mining, construction) and hobbies can expose individuals to respiratory irritants, contributing to chronic lung diseases over time. While this information is valuable for a comprehensive health assessment, the immediate physical finding of a barrel chest directly points to underlying chronic lung pathology, making a question about chronic breathing problems more direct and immediate.
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