Question

The mother of a child receiving immunizations at a health clinic shares with the nurse that she and the child have not eaten today. Which of the following nursing interventions is best directed at impacting the immediate problem while being sensitive to the mother's sense of self-worth?

1. Notifying family services of the problem
2. Taking both mother and child to the cafeteria
3. Informing the mother that she is eligible for food stamps
4. Providing her with contacts at the neighborhood food bank

Answer 1

The ideal nursing intervention for a mother and child who are hungry at a health clinic is to take them to the cafeteria, providing immediate relief and respecting the mother's dignity.

Step-by-step explanation:

When addressing the issue of a mother and child who haven't eaten while at a health clinic for immunizations, the best nursing intervention that is sensitive to the mother's sense of self-worth and offers immediate relief would be taking both the mother and child to the cafeteria. This solution provides immediate nutritional support and avoids stigmatizing the family or making assumptions about their longer-term needs. It is also a discrete way to address the issue without drawing unnecessary attention to their financial situation.

Long-term solutions to malnutrition include public health interventions such as education about nutrition, affordable access to healthy food, and socio-economic support programs like SNAP, WIC, or food banks. However, these are not immediate solutions and require the mother to seek out and access these services. Therefore, for the current immediate need, sharing a meal is the most direct and compassionate response.