Question

On admission to the maternity unit... it is learned that a mother has smoked 2 packs

of cigarettes per day and expects to continue to smoke after discharge. The mother
also states that she expects to breastfeed her baby. The nurse's response should be
based on which of the following?
1. Breastfeeding is contraindicated if the mother smokes cigarettes.
2. Breastfeeding is protective for the baby and should be encouraged.
3. A 2-pack-a-day smoker should be reported to child protective services for
child abuse.
4. A mother who admits to smoking cigarettes may also be abusing illicit
substances.

Answer 1

The nurse should encourage breastfeeding as it is protective for the baby, even though the mother smokes, but should also provide counseling about the risks of smoking and support to quit.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's response to a mother who smokes two packs of cigarettes per day and plans to continue after discharge while breastfeeding should be based on the fact that breastfeeding is protective for the baby and should be encouraged. While it's true that smoking can have adverse effects on both the mother and baby, including an increased risk of premature birth, low-birth-weight infants, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), breastfeeding provides significant health benefits to the infant. These benefits may help to mitigate some of the negative effects of the mother's smoking. Moreover, the suggestion to report the mother to child protective services or assume illicit substance abuse solely based on cigarette smoking is not appropriate without further evidence.