A mother has just given birth to a newborn with a cleft lip. ...

[LaDunn]

A mother has just given birth to a newborn with a cleft lip. Sensing that something is wrong, she starts to cry and asks the nurse, What is wrong with my baby? What is the most appropriate nursing action?
 
  a. Encourage the mother to express her feelings.
  b. Explain in simple language that the baby has a cleft lip.
  c. Provide emotional support until the practitioner can talk to the mother.
  d. Tell the mother a pediatrician will talk to her as soon as the baby is examined.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a child after a cleft palate repair who is on a clear liquid diet. Which feeding device should the nurse use to deliver the clear liquid diet?
 
  a. Straw
  b. Spoon
  c. Sippy cup
  d. Open cup

[jaygar71]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
It is best to explain in simple terms the nature of the defect and to reinforce and help clarify information given by the practitioner before the newborn is shown to the parents. Parents may not be ready to talk about their feelings during the first few days after birth. The nurse should provide information about the child's condition while waiting for the practitioner to speak with the family after the examination. The mother needs simple explanations of her child's condition during this period of waiting.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Acceptable feeding devices after a cleft palate repair include open cup for liquids, but rigid utensils such as spoons, straws, and hard-tipped sippy cups should be avoided to prevent accidental injury to the repair.