A newborn was admitted to the nursery with a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. The physician explained the plan of therapy and its expected good results. However, the mother refuses to see or hold her baby. What is the initial therapeutic approach for the mother?
A) Restating what the physician has told her about plastic surgery.
B) Encouraging her to express her feelings.
C) Emphasizing the normalcy of her baby and the baby's need for mothering.
D) Recognizing that negative feelings toward the child continue throughout childhood.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

For parents, cleft lip and cleft palate deformities are particularly disturbing. The nurse must emphasize not only the infant's physical needs but also the parents' emotional needs. The mother needs to be able to express her feelings before she can accept her child. Although the nurse will restate what the physician has told the mother about plastic surgery, it is not part of the initial therapeutic approach. As the mother expresses her feelings, the nurse's actions should convey to the parents that the infant is a precious human being. The nurse emphasizes the child's normalcy and helps the mother recognize the child's uniqueness.

A Newborn Was Admitted to the Nursery with a Complete