Question

A nurse is teaching the parent of an infant about the ways to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A) Repositioning the infant every 2 hours while in bed
B) Keeping the room temperature above 75°F
C) Placing the infant on the back to sleep
D) Administering cefazolin 1g in 100 mL 0.9% sodium chloride over 30 min

Answer 1

To prevent SIDS, place infants on their back to sleep in a crib without soft bedding, avoid overheating and caps, and ensure a smoke-free environment. Research on SIDS focuses on the brain and risk factors, with the AAP, CDC, and NICHD being reliable information sources.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the nurse should instruct the parent to always place the infant on their back when putting them down to sleep. The crib should be free of potential suffocation hazards such as blankets, pillows, or padded crib bumpers. It is also important to avoid overheating, so infants should not wear caps when sleeping, and the room temperature should be kept at a comfortable level — not above 75°F. Ensuring a smoke-free environment for the infant is crucial, as exposure to secondhand smoke is a known risk factor for SIDS.

Current research on SIDS involves understanding the brain's arousal and breathing control mechanisms and identifying risk factors. Three reliable sources of information on SIDS for new parents include the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).