A new mother is distresses over the "white substance" covering her infant because it "looks ugly." What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) Scrub the substance off of the baby.
B) Reassure the mom that it will go away.
C) Report the findings to the provider.
D) Explain that the vernix caseosa protects fetal skin from amniotic fluid.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Prolonged exposure to amniotic fluid during the fetal period could result in breakdown of the skin without the protection of the vernix caseosa.This can be washed off gently,when the baby gets the first bath.Although it will not remain,this statement does not explain the purpose of the substance.This does not need to be reported.

A New Mother Is Distresses Over the "White Substance" Covering