After the delivery of a healthy baby, a 17-year-old is admitted ...

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After the delivery of a healthy baby, a 17-year-old is admitted to the postpartum unit. What is most appropriate to include in the woman's discharge plan?
 
  a. Provide time for the woman to bathe her baby after she views a baby bath demonstration.
  b. Give the woman written information on bathing her baby.
  c. Tell the woman how to feed and bathe her baby.
  d. Advise her that all women instinctively know how to care for their babies.

Question 2

A 16-year-old is admitted in early labor with contractions every 5 minutes. She is groaning and perspiring excessively and states she did not attend childbirth classes. The most appropriate nursing action is to:
 
  a. Notify the health care provider.
  b. Administer the prescribed narcotic analgesic.
  c. Assure her that labor for a teenager is usually short.
  d. Give simple breathing and relaxation instructions.

[TDubDCFL]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The adolescent may have inadequate coping skills to manage the transition to parenthood and parenting responsibilities. Encouragement, support, instruction, and an opportunity to practice self-care and care of the newborn should be provided. Verbal and written instructions may be appropriate but are no substitute for actual practice.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Adolescents often do not tolerate pain well. Breathing and concentration techniques require patience that many teens lack, so breathing and relaxation instructions must be simple and easy to follow. The nurse must also carefully explain to the adolescent and her support person what is being done and what can be expected during the labor and birth.