Question

Carlo weighed 2 pounds at birth and is being discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit. what relaistic statement about carlos prognosis might you make to his worried parents?

a)you should feel good, carlo will definately not have problems beyond childhood
b)lets wait and see. carlo might be fine but he could have lingering lifelong problems
c)congrats, if carlo was dishcarged than everything should be fien
d)be very worried; most babies carlos size die w in 1st yr of life

Answer 1

While it cannot be promised that Carlo will have no issues beyond childhood, his discharge from the NICU is a hopeful indication, but it is important for his parents to closely monitor his development.

Step-by-step explanation:

Addressing the concern of parents with an infant discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) requires sensitivity and an understanding of the potential health outcomes. The weight of a newborn is a critical indicator of health and development.

A birth weight less than 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) is considered low birth weight and can be associated with increased risks for health issues and slower developmental progress.

However, the fact that Carlo is being discharged from the NICU is a positive sign, indicating that the medical team believes he is stable enough to continue growing and developing outside of the intensive care environment.

It is important to provide realistic expectations to the parents. A premature infant with a low birth weight like Carlo may face challenges, but many infants catch up in growth and development with proper care and monitoring.

A possible response to the parents might be that, while it is impossible to predict with certainty, the medical team is optimistic about Carlo's progress, and they will need to monitor his development closely to ensure he receives any necessary interventions.