A mother refuses to have her child immunized with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine because she believes that letting her infant get these diseases will help him fight off other diseases later in life. Which is an appropriate response by the nurse?

Question

1. Telling the mother that by not immunizing the child she may be exposing pregnant women to the virus, which could cause fetal harm
2. Honoring the mother's request because she is the parent
3. Telling the mother that she is wrong and should have her child immunized
4. Explaining the potential complications of measles, mumps, and rubella infections

Answer 1

4
Explanation:
1. This mother is not concerned about other women; she is concerned about what is best for her child.
2. Nurses are responsible for helping parents make informed decisions. It is important that the mother has all the facts before she makes a decision.
3. The mother has the right to make the decisions for her child. The nurse's role is not to tell the parents what to do but to give them the information they need to make decisions.
4. Explaining that if her child contracts measles, mumps, or rubella, the child could have very serious and permanent complications from these diseases is correct; measles, mumps, and rubella all have potentially serious sequelae, such as encephalitis, brain damage, and deafness.