The nurse notes that a Vietnamese 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. In evaluating the woman's behavior with her infant, the nurse realizes that:
A) What appears to be a lack of interest in the newborn is in fact the Vietnamese way of demonstrating intense love by attempting to ward off evil spirits.
B) The woman is inexperienced in caring for newborns.
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

In Vietnamese culture, it is believed that newborns are vulnerable to evil spirits, and excessive attention from parents or others may attract these spirits to the infant, causing harm. Therefore, it is common for Vietnamese parents to limit their interactions with their newborns, with the belief that this will protect them from harm. This behavior does not indicate a lack of love or affection for the child.

The Nurse Notes That a Vietnamese Woman Does Not Cuddle