Obstetric nurses have been comfortable providing family-centered maternity care for many years.Many intensive care units (ICUs)are adopting a family-centered care philosophy;however,being far from the obstetric unit makes it much more difficult should a maternity client be transferred to this setting.What action would the nurse encourage to promote family-centered maternity care?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The neonate should be brought to the mother's bedside as her condition permits.If the infant is too sick to leave the neonatal intensive care unit,photos should be brought to the mother and placed within her range of vision.Never assume that the mother is too ill to want to see or hold her infant.Encourage this interaction and observe the mother's body language for fatigue.Although a great deal of nursing care is required in an ICU setting,open visitation so that spouse or other family members are present is essential when providing family-centered care.These family members can provide support and are often included in assisting with the client's care.Nursing care activities should be consolidated as much as possible.Sibling visitation is very reassuring for the critically ill mother.This allows the sibling to be included in some portion of the birth experience.Nursing staff can explain the equipment depending on the age of the child.The child will be comforted by seeing his or her mother regardless of the "scariness" of an ICU setting.Visitation should be based on the mother's desires.The nurse should not assume that she does not want her family to visit because of her condition.In fact,the critically ill mother needs the support and care of her family perhaps even more than the healthy mother.

Obstetric Nurses Have Been Comfortable Providing Family-Centered Maternity Care for Many