A nurse teaches a new mother about the associated health risks to the infant. Which statement by the mother indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?

Question

a. "I will feed my baby every 4 hours around-the-clock."
b. "I need to leave the blankets off my baby to prevent smothering."
c. "I need to remind friends who want to hold my baby to wash their hands."
d. "I will throw away the bulb syringe now because my baby is breathing fine."

Answer 1

ANS: C
Good handwashing technique is the most important factor in protecting the newborn from infection. You can help prevent infection by instructing parents and visitors to wash their hands before touching the infant. The nurse can help parents identify ways to meet needs by counseling them to feed their baby on demand rather than on a rigid schedule.
Newborns are susceptible to heat loss and cold stress. Place the healthy newborn directly on the mother's abdomen, covering with warm blankets. Removal of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal secretions remains a priority of care to maintain a patent airway; keeping the bulb syringe is important.