The nurse is completing the gestational age assessment on a newborn while in the mother's postpartum room. During the assessment, the mother asks what aspects of the baby are being checked. The nurse's best response is:

Question

1. "I'm checking to make sure the baby has all of its parts."
2. "This assessment looks at both physical aspects and the nervous system."
3. "This assessment checks the baby's brain and nerve function."
4. "Don't worry. We perform this check on all the babies."

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: The assessment immediately after birth assesses for grossly intact physiology (such as presence of the anus, location of the urethra, number of cord vessels, gender of genitalia, etc.).
Rationale 2: The gestational age assessment evaluates both external physical characteristics and neurologic or neuromuscular development.
Rationale 3: The gestational age assessment evaluates both external physical characteristics and neurologic or neuromuscular development.
Rationale 4: Nurses must always use therapeutic communication, and giving a "don't worry" answer dismisses the patient's question or concern.