Question

The nurse observes parents interacting with their newborn shortly after birth. It is most important for the nurse to make which assessment during this observation?

a. Proper parenting skills
b. Healthy or pathologic relationships
c. Normal neurologic functioning of the neonate
d. Parental knowledge of the neonate's behavioral responses

Answer 1

The nurse's most important assessment is the normal neurologic functioning of the newborn shortly after birth, which includes checking essential reflexes and the Apgar score to ensure the infant's health and developmental status.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important assessment a nurse can make when observing parents interacting with their newborn shortly after birth is c. Normal neurologic functioning of the neonate.

This includes evaluating the newborn's reflexes such as the sucking, rooting, and Moro reflexes, which are crucial indicators of the infant's neurologic and developmental status. The Apgar score is typically used to assess the general well-being of the newborn, including neurologic function, immediately following birth.

While aspects such as parental knowledge of the neonate's behavioral responses, proper parenting skills, and healthy or pathological relationships are also significant, the immediate concern in the postpartum period is the physical health and neurologic function of the newborn, which is vital for ensuring the infant's capability to survive and adapt outside the womb.