A parent wonders why his baby needs all the blood samples to test for different diseases.What response by the nurse is best?
A) "Many serious disorders can be found before they cause damage or death."
B) "This is a hospital policy; if you want to opt out you need to sign a waiver."
C) "We see a lot of these diseases in our community so we screen for them."
D) "Your baby doesn't need the blood tests if you don't want them."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Newborn screening was the first population-based screening program to test for genetic conditions.Many diseases that cause an increased risk for infection,liver damage,mental retardation,or even death can often be identified through these tests.The hospital may require an opt-out waiver,but this is not the best initial answer.Some of the diseases are uncommon but potentially devastating,so the screening is not done for diseases only seen in one community.Parents can opt out of some or all tests,depending on the state in which they live,but the nurse should first educate the parent about why the tests are so important.

A Parent Wonders Why His Baby Needs All the Blood