Question

A multipara gives birth to a neonate at 24 weeks' gestation. After 12 hours, the neonate's condition deteriorates, and death appears likely within the next few minutes. The parents are Roman Catholic, and they request that the neonate be baptized. The nurse should:

A. Contact the hospital chaplain to perform the baptism.
B. Alert the hospital's director that a neonatal death is imminent.
C. Find a health care provider who is Roman Catholic to perform the baptism.
D. Baptize the neonate, regardless of the nurse's own religious beliefs.

Answer 1

In this situation, since the neonate's condition is deteriorating and death appears imminent, it would be appropriate for the nurse to baptize the neonate.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the Roman Catholic tradition, baptism is an important sacrament that should be performed as soon as possible after birth. In this situation, since the neonate's condition is deteriorating and death appears imminent, it would be appropriate for the nurse to baptize the neonate. The nurse should use water to baptize the neonate while reciting the necessary prayers and blessings.