A nurse notes that an Eskimo woman does not cuddle or interact with her newborn other than to feed him,change his diapers or soiled clothes,and put him to bed.While evaluating this client's behavior with her infant,what realization does the nurse make?
A) What appears to be a lack of interest in the newborn is, in fact, the cultural way of demonstrating intense love by attempting to ward off evil spirits.
B) The woman is inexperienced in caring for a newborn.
C) The woman needs a referral to a social worker for further evaluation of her parenting behaviors once she goes home with the newborn.
D) Extra time needs to be planned for assisting the woman in bonding with her newborn.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse may observe an Eskimo mother who gives minimal care to her infant and refuses to cuddle or interact with her infant.The apparent lack of interest in the newborn is this cultural group's attempt to ward off evil spirits and actually reflects an intense love and concern for the infant.Inexperience in caring for newborns is not an issue.Cultural beliefs are important determinates of parenting behaviors.The woman's "lack of interest" is an Eskimo cultural behavior.Referring the woman to a social worker is not necessary in this situation.The lack of infant interaction is not a form of infant neglect; rather,it is a demonstration of love and concern for the infant.The nurse may observe the woman and may be concerned by the apparent lack of interest in the newborn when in fact her behavior is a cultural display of love and concern for the infant.Teaching the woman infant care is important,but acknowledging her cultural beliefs and practices is equally important.

A Nurse Notes That an Eskimo Woman Does Not Cuddle