Question

The nurse is preparing to care for a newborn with respiratory distress syndrome. Which initial action should the nurse plan to best facilitate bonding between the newborn and the parents?

A. Initiate kangaroo care
B. Administer oxygen therapy
C. Begin tube feeding
D. Perform a complete physical examination

Answer 1

To enhance bonding between a newborn with RDS and their parents, initiating kangaroo care is the most beneficial initial action, as it provides warmth, comfort, and helps stabilize the infant's vital functions.

Step-by-step explanation:

To best facilitate bonding between the newborn with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and the parents, the nurse should plan to initiate kangaroo care. Kangaroo care involves skin-to-skin contact and has been proven to benefit both the newborn and the parents, aiding in both physiological and emotional bonding. This form of care supports the newborn's need for warmth, comfort, and stabilizes their heart rate, breathing, and improves oxygen saturation levels.

Other interventions such as oxygen therapy, tube feeding, and engaging in a full physical examination are important for the medical management of RDS. However, they do not directly facilitate bonding. Medical advances have greatly improved the ability to treat RDS, which may include the use of ventilators, CPAP, and pulmonary surfactant therapy. Nevertheless, practices such as kangaroo care remain a humanizing approach to complement the high-tech environment of neonatal care.