Question

The nurse observes the interactions of mother and infant born three hours ago. The mother had gestational diabetes and delivered by cesarean section at 37 weeks gestation. The infant's Apgar scores were 6 and 8, birth weight 10lbs, heart rate 122 bpm, and respirations 35/min. The mother tells the nurse, "I don't know why my physician was worried about my baby. She looks so big and healthy!". Which response by the nurse is BEST?

a. You need to ask your mother if you were also a large baby
b. They baby's large size is due to the amount of sugar the she received in utero
c. It is great that you are starting to rely on your maternal instinct already!
d. You must be relieved that the baby looks so healthly

Answer 1

The BEST response by the nurse is: b. The baby's large size is due to the amount of sugar she received in utero.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should provide an informative and empathetic response that addresses the mother's concerns and provides education about the potential effects of gestational diabetes. Option b is the best choice as it explains that the baby's larger size may be related to the increased sugar levels in the mother's blood during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes can lead to fetal overgrowth, a condition known as macrosomia, which results in larger birth weight. This occurs because excess glucose in the mother's bloodstream crosses the placenta and stimulates the baby's pancreas to produce extra insulin, promoting increased fat storage.

Options a, c, and d do not directly address the mother's concern about the baby's size in the context of gestational diabetes. Option b provides information about the possible link between gestational diabetes and a larger baby while maintaining a non-judgmental tone.

Therefore, the BEST response is b. The baby's large size is due to the amount of sugar she received in utero.