Current Issues in Maternal Newborn Nursing Related

Review Current Issues in Maternal Newborn Nursing related questions and content

A client is 5 months pregnant. On a routine ultrasound scan, the physician discovers that the fetus has a diaphragmatic herniThe woman becomes distraught and asks the nurse what she should do. Which response would be most suitable?

  • A. Talk to the client, and refer her to a genetic counselor.
  • B. Suggest that the client travel to a fetal treatment center for intrauterine surgery.
  • C. Tell her that everything is going to be fine.
  • D. Sit with the client, and calmly suggest that she consider terminating this pregnancy.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Before the client makes any decisions, she should discuss this newly discovered information with a genetic counselor. Genetic counselors can help with the diagnosis and management of families affected by genetic conditions. The discussion of potential surgery should be pursuant to genetic counseling. Telling the woman that everything is going to be fine may give her false hope and is not accurate. All options should be discussed with the genetic counselor. Furthermore, the guiding principle for genetic counseling is nondirection, which respects the right of the individual or family who are being counseled to make autonomous decisions.