A couple who has had difficulty conceiving confides in the nurse at the infertility clinic that they feel overwhelmed with the decisions that face them. Which of the following nursing strategies would be most appropriate and therapeutic?
Select one:

Choice A Reason: "You would have seen more symptoms if you had been looking more closely at your baby." This is an inappropriate response that blames the parents for missing the signs of sepsis and does not explain the Reason for the subtle symptoms.

Choice B Reason: "A newborn's immune system isn't mature, so symptoms are subtle and can be hard to recognize." This is an appropriate response that educates the parents about the immunological basis of sepsis in newborns and reassures them that they are not at fault for not noticing the symptoms.

Choice C Reason: "A high fever will always be present in sick newborns, including your baby." This is an incorrect response that contradicts the fact that newborns may not develop fever in response to infection due to their immature immune systems.

Choice D Reason: "A mother's immunity usually protects the infant from illness, but not in this case." This is an inaccurate response that implies that the mother failed to provide adequate immunity to her baby and does not address the question of why the baby did not seem very ill.

Choice A Reason: Provide compassionate and accurate information throughout the process and support them to make their own decisions. This is a therapeutic strategy that demonstrates empathy, honesty, and advocacy for the couple. It also helps them understand their options, risks, benefits, and alternatives, and encourages them to participate in their care.

Choice B Reason: Inquire about the names they have chosen for their baby to get their mind off their stress. This is a non-therapeutic strategy that avoids addressing the couple's concerns, minimizes their feelings, and may create false hope or unrealistic expectations.

Choice C Reason: Express sympathy and provide directive advice to the couple about what they should do. This is a non-therapeutic strategy that shows pity, imposes personal values, and undermines the couple's self-determination.

Choice D Reason: Refer them to a marriage counselor in the same building to help them with the decisions. This is a non-therapeutic strategy that implies that the couple has marital problems, shifts responsibility, and may create resentment or resistance.