Final answer:
The nurse should inform Anna that her baby's hearing begins to develop in the womb and is functional by around 24 weeks of gestation. Playing music or talking to the baby during pregnancy can help stimulate brain development and strengthen the bond between the mother and the unborn baby.
Step-by-step explanation:
When answering Anna's question about when her baby's hearing will develop, the nurse can provide the following information:
Babies' hearing begins to develop in the womb and is functional by around 24 weeks of gestation. At this stage, the baby's cochlea, which is responsible for hearing, starts to form, and they can start to perceive sound vibrations from the outside world.
It is important to note that even though the baby can hear, they are still surrounded by amniotic fluid, which muffles sounds. However, playing music or talking to the baby during pregnancy can help stimulate brain development and strengthen the bond between the mother and the unborn baby.