A nurse is caring for a term newborn male client who is 72 hours old in the neonatal intensive care unit. The newborn was born after a precipitous vaginal birth at 39 weeks of gestation. The mother has a history of opioid use during pregnancy.

Exhibits

The nurse is assessing the newborn 24 hours later. For each finding, specify whether the finding is unrelated to the diagnosis, a sign of potential improvement, or a sign of potential worsening condition.

Choice A rationale
Telling a grieving mother that not holding her baby will make letting go much harder can be seen as insensitive and may not be true for all individuals. Each person’s grief process is unique.
Choice B rationale
Assuring the mother that she will be able to have another baby when she’s ready may be seen as dismissive of her current loss. It’s important to acknowledge the pain of losing this specific child, rather than focusing on future children.
Choice C rationale
This is the correct answer. Offering the mother the opportunity to bathe and dress her baby can provide a sense of closure and a chance to say goodbye. It allows the mother to care for her baby in the short time they have together.
Choice D rationale
While some parents may find comfort in naming their baby, it should not be presented as something the mother “should” do. The decision to name the baby is a personal one and should be left up to the parents.

Choice A rationale

Applying hydrating lotion to the newborn’s skin prior to treatment is not recommended. The goal of phototherapy is to expose the newborn’s skin to light, and applying lotion could potentially interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment.
Choice B rationale
Providing the newborn with 15 mL glucose water after each feeding is not a standard part of phototherapy treatment. The newborn should continue to receive regular feedings, but additional glucose water is not typically necessary.
Choice C rationale
Turning the newborn every 4 hours is not sufficient during phototherapy. The newborn should be repositioned frequently, ideally every 2-3 hours, to expose all areas of the skin to the light.
Choice D rationale
It is important to protect the newborn’s eyes during phototherapy to prevent damage from the light. Therefore, the newborn’s eyes should be covered with special patches whenever the lights are on.