Question

The nurse notes dark spots on the African-American infant’s back and buttocks. Which action should the nurse take after making this assessment? ? A. Call the supervisor ? B. Call the doctor ? C. Document the finding ? D. Ask the parents what caused the spots

Short answer

Answer: The most appropriate action for the nurse to take is to document the finding.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the problem.

The nurse has discovered dark spots on an African-American infant's back and buttocks. The question is asking which action is the most appropriate for the nurse to take in this situation.

Analyze answer A (Call the supervisor).

Calling the supervisor would be an appropriate action if the nurse is unsure about what to do in this situation or if there might be a potential emergency. But, if the situation is not an emergency and the nurse knows the right course of action, calling the supervisor may not be necessary.

Analyze answer B (Call the doctor).

In some cases, calling the doctor may be the most appropriate action if the findings are potentially dangerous or require immediate attention by a medical professional. However, considering the context of the scenario and without any indication of potential harm, calling the doctor may not be the most appropriate action at this stage.

Analyze answer C (Document the finding).

Documenting the findings is an important part of any medical professional's daily routine. Nurses need to keep accurate records of their patients to ensure the best possible care. If the dark spots are a normal part of the African-American infant skin, it is important to document it in the infant's medical record. This action could be considered appropriate in this situation.

Analyze answer D (Ask the parents what caused the spots).

Asking the parents about the spots could be an appropriate action if the cause could potentially impact the infant's care. However, the question did not clearly indicate that there is a need for obtaining additional information from the parents.

Choose the most appropriate action.

Based on the analysis of the four possible actions, option C (Document the finding) is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take in this situation. Documenting the dark spots in the baby's record can be helpful in monitoring the baby's condition and providing necessary care.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, the most appropriate action for the nurse to take after discovering the dark spots on the African-American infant's back and buttocks is to document the finding. Documenting the finding ensures that the infant's medical record is complete and accurate.