Question

A woman has given birth to a preterm infant. The infant is doing well in the high risk nursery. The woman states to the nurse: "I am so worried about my baby." The best response by the nurse would be: A. "You're worried about your baby?" B. "Don't be worried, your baby is doing fine." C. "God will take care of your baby if it is meant to be." D. "Babies born at the gestation of your baby usually do very well.'

Short answer

Option D: 'Babies born at the gestation of your baby usually do very well.'

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the situation

Recognize that the woman is expressing worry about her baby's well-being. The nurse's response should acknowledge the woman's feelings and provide reassurance or information.

- Evaluate response choices

Analyze each response option to see how well it addresses the woman's concern and provides comfort or relevant information.

- Analyze option A

Option A: 'You're worried about your baby?' This response simply repeats the woman's statement and does not provide new information or reassurance. It might make the woman feel heard but does little to alleviate her concern.

- Analyze option B

Option B: 'Don't be worried, your baby is doing fine.' This response dismisses the woman's feelings and provides reassurances without acknowledging her worry. It can come off as insensitive.

- Analyze option C

Option C: 'God will take care of your baby if it is meant to be.' This response introduces religious elements, which might not align with the woman's beliefs, and also comes off as fatalistic, potentially increasing anxiety.

- Analyze option D

Option D: 'Babies born at the gestation of your baby usually do very well.' This response acknowledges the woman's concern and provides factual information that can offer reassurance and reduce her worry.

- Choose the best response

Considering all options, Option D is the best response as it directly addresses the woman's concern with comforting and relevant information.

Key concepts

therapeutic communication

Therapeutic communication is a cornerstone in the nursing profession, ensuring that patients feel heard, understood, and supported. It involves active listening, empathy, and conveying reassurance in a way that acknowledges the patient's feelings. When the woman in the exercise expressed her concern about her baby, the nurse's task was to provide a response that validated her feelings while also offering comfort or information.
Examples of effective therapeutic communication techniques for nurses include:
• Reflecting on what the patient has said to show understanding.
• Providing information that is clear and relevant to the patient's concerns.
• Supporting the patient with empathetic statements that show care and concern.
In this scenario, Option D is an example of using therapeutic communication effectively as it addresses the woman’s concern with factual reassurance, which can significantly alleviate her anxiety.

patient reassurance

Patient reassurance is key in helping individuals feel safe and calm, particularly in high-stress situations like caring for a high-risk newborn. Effective reassurance involves more than simply telling a patient that everything will be okay; it requires offering evidence-based information to build trust and confidence.
When the nurse responded with, 'Babies born at the gestation of your baby usually do very well,' it provided reassurance grounded in fact, which is more comforting than a vague assurance.
Strategies for providing patient reassurance include:
• Using data and evidence to back up statements.
• Encouraging patients to ask questions and be involved in their care.
• Being honest about what is known and what is not, to build trust.
These steps help in reducing patient anxiety and making them feel more in control and confident about their circumstances.

high-risk newborn care

High-risk newborn care involves specialized knowledge and skills to manage and support infants born prematurely or with health complications. Nurses must be adept not only in the clinical aspects of care but also in supporting the emotional needs of the parents.
The high-risk nursery is equipped with advanced technology to monitor and support the health of premature babies. Nurses play a critical role in this environment through:
• Continuous monitoring of vital signs and health parameters.
• Administering medications and treatments as prescribed.
• Educating parents about their baby’s condition and progress.
• Providing emotional support during a stressful time.
Effective communication, as shown when the nurse provided factual reassurance about the baby's likelihood of doing well, is crucial in high-risk newborn care to help mitigate parental anxiety.

nurse-patient interaction

The interaction between a nurse and a patient forms the foundation of effective care. Good nurse-patient interaction is built on trust, empathy, and clear communication. In the context of the exercise, the nurse’s interaction with the worried mother needed to be both comforting and informative.
Elements of effective nurse-patient interaction include:
• Showing genuine interest in the patient’s concerns and emotional state.
• Providing clear, concise, and accurate information.
• Using a calm and reassuring tone of voice.
• Active listening, ensuring the patient feels heard and understood.
By offering a response that both acknowledged the mother's concern and provided reassuring data, the nurse maintained a positive and supportive interaction, essential for promoting the mother's emotional well-being.