Final answer:
The most appropriate nursing response to a crying newborn is to comfort the child and provide reassurance, making use of the neonate's responsive sense of touch through cuddling and gentle rocking. Asking the child why they are crying is less applicable to a neonate, and neither telling the child to stop crying nor leaving them to cry it out are considered suitable responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Responding to Neonatal Crying
In the context of a nurse responding to a crying neonate (newborn), the most appropriate action would be to comfort the child and provide reassurance. Newborns have a well-developed sense of touch, and research indicates that they respond positively to gentle, comforting actions such as soft stroking, cuddling, and rocking. This contact can help meet the infant's emotional needs and can be a method to soothe the baby, subsequently reducing crying. Use of a pacifier or allowing the baby to suck on their thumb can also be a self-soothing technique that neonates often utilize.
While it may sometimes be necessary to understand why the baby is crying by gently asking if the child is of speaking age or checking for basic needs (hunger, diaper change, etc.), telling a child to stop crying or leaving them alone to cry it out may not be appropriate responses, as these actions could neglect the infant's immediate emotional needs or distress signals.