The nurse is talking with a parent who is sobbing loudly at the bedside of their infant, who was just born with an omphalocele. The parent wails, "I cannot believe my baby was born this way! He will surely die!"
Which of the following statements by the nurse is most appropriate?
The nurse is talking with a parent who is sobbing loudly at the bedside of their infant, who was just born with an omphalocele. The parent wails, "I cannot believe my baby was born this way! He will surely die!"
Which of the following statements by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Don't worry, these things happen all the time; your baby will be fine without any intervention."
[0%]
B. "I understand you are upset. This is certainly serious, but there is a treatment that can repair the omphalocele, and we will take excellent care of your baby."
[79%]
C. "I know this looks bad, but let's not jump to conclusions. We'll see how it goes."
[2%]
D. “I understand you must be upset. Would you like to hold your baby while he is still here?”
[20%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Child Health
Lesson
Gastrointestinal
Client Need
Test Plan
Psychosocial Integrity
Related Topic
Therapeutic Communication
Item Type
Item Type
Application
Explanation
Choice B is correct. This statement demonstrates therapeutic communication by acknowledging the parent's fear and validating their emotions. It also provides factual, reassuring information about the infant's condition and treatment outcomes, opening the door for further conversation and education. With successful surgical repair, the survival rate for infants with omphalocele is about 90%.
Choice A is incorrect. This statement minimizes the parent's distress and the seriousness of the condition. Telling the parent not to worry and that the baby will be fine without intervention is misleading and can give false reassurance, potentially leading to neglect of necessary medical care. It also dismisses the parent's emotional response, which can hinder trust and rapport between the nurse and the family.
Choice C is incorrect. This response does not address the parent's emotional state or provide necessary information about the condition. It suggests a "wait-and-see" approach which is not suitable for omphalocele, where timely medical intervention is crucial.
Choice D is incorrect. While this statement sounds therapeutic, it does not provide any education and validates the parent's misunderstanding about their infant dying. An omphalocele repair is very successful, with over 90% of infants surviving. The nurse should use therapeutic communication to validate the parent's emotions while providing education about realistic expectations to understand the prognosis better.
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2 Key Topics
Omphalocele
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Additional Info
✓ Omphalocele is a congenital defect in which the abdominal organs are outside the body in a sac, and it is typically diagnosed during prenatal ultrasounds or at birth. The severity and associated complications can vary, but with prompt and appropriate treatment, many infants survive and thrive.
✓ Therapeutic communication involves the nurse using open-ended statements, active listening, and empathy to support the client. It aims to reduce anxiety, build trust, and ensure the client feels heard and respected during difficult moments.
✓ Provide emotional support to the parent by validating their feelings while offering clear and accurate information about the infant’s condition and treatment plan. Ensuring the parent understands that their child has a high chance of survival with proper medical care can help reduce anxiety.
