The nurse comes into the client’s room to check on her and her newborn child. The client tells the nurse that another nurse just came and took the baby back to the nursery. What would be the initial action of the nurse?
The nurse comes into the client’s room to check on her and her newborn child. The client tells the nurse that another nurse just came and took the baby back to the nursery. What would be the initial action of the nurse?
A. Alert security personnel about an infant abduction and call a code.
[18%]
B. Ask the mother what the nurse who took her baby looked like.
[8%]
C. Call the nursery to ask if the baby was returned to the nursery.
[66%]
D. Ask the mother if she asked the nurse for a code word.
[8%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Maternal & Newborn Health
Lesson
Newborn
Client Need
Test Plan
Safety & Infection Control
Related Topic
Security Plan
Item Type
Item Type
Application
Explanation
Choice C is correct. The nurse should always confirm first whether another staff member returned the baby to the nursery. The nurse should not cause a false alarm in the institution. A Code Pink notifies all hospital staff of a possible infant abduction.
Choice A is incorrect. This option is premature and extreme. While infant abduction is a serious concern, there is no evidence or indication at this point that an abduction has occurred. Calling a code and involving security personnel without confirmation of a problem could cause unnecessary panic and stress. When the nurse is sure that the infant is not in the nursery, a Code Pink can be started.
Choice B is incorrect. This will be done if the infant was not returned to the nursery, but this is not the initial action of the nurse .
Choice D is incorrect. There are many safety precautions to prevent infant abductions. For example, most facilities have a code word that is changed daily. The mother must ask anyone who wants to take the infant out of the mother’s room for the code word. The nurse should first verify the whereabouts of the baby and gather information about the situation before considering additional security measures.
Additional Info
✓ Nursing staff play a crucial role in informing parents and caregivers about infant security measures within the healthcare facility. This includes providing information on identification bands, visitor policies, and the importance of vigilant supervision when caring for newborns.
✓ Healthcare facilities should provide comprehensive training to staff members on infant security protocols, including procedures for identifying and verifying the identity of individuals interacting with newborns. Regular drills and updates on security protocols are essential to ensure staff readiness in case of emergencies.
✓ According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), approximately 400 infants are abducted from healthcare facilities in the United States each year.
