The nurse will be bringing the parents of a neonate with sepsis to the neonatal intensive care nursery for the first time. Which statement is best?
1. "I'll bring you to your baby and then leave so you can have some privacy."
2. "Your baby is on a ventilator with 50% oxygen, and has an umbilical line."
3. "I am so sorry this has all happened. I know how stressful this can be."
4. "Your baby is working hard to breathe and lying quite still, and has an IV."
4
Rationale 1: When bringing parents to see their ill newborn for the first time, it is important to prepare them for what they will see. Bringing parents without preparation is inappropriate.
Rationale 2: Although this statement describes the treatment the baby is receiving, it is worded in medical jargon that will not be understood by most parents.
Rationale 3: This response focuses on the nurse. Avoid saying "I know how you feel," because it is impossible for the nurse to actually know how patients feel.
Rationale 4: This answer is best because it explains what the parents will see in terminology that they will understand.
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