A patient who just delivered a newborn baby is concerned that the baby will "catch" a cold from a healthcare provider who was coughing and sneezing in the delivery room. How should the nurse respond?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should reassure the patient that the baby has some protection from infections from the time of birth. Newborns are born with some level of immunity to help protect them from infections. It is not necessary to isolate the baby or have everyone check the baby's temperature for signs of infection, as the baby is likely to be healthy and should not be exposed to unnecessary interventions. The healthcare provider may have been necessary for the patient's care and should have taken appropriate precautions (such as wearing a mask) if they were contagious.

A Patient Who Just Delivered a Newborn Baby Is Concerned