Question

At a male newborn's first encounter with his mother the nurse encourages her to undress him. The mother strokes him with her whole hand and while looking at him intently says, "He feels so velvety, and he is going to be just as good looking as his daddy." The baby is alert and responsive while gazing at his mother. What is the nurse's assessment of this first mother-infant encounter?

1. Early parenting behavior

2. Neonatal attachment behavior

3. Newborn consummatory behavior

4. Overprotective parenting behavior (Nugent 328)
Nugent, Patricia M. Mosby's Review Questions for the NCLEX-RN® Examination, 7th Edition. Mosby, 2011. VitalBook file.

Answer 1

The nurse would assess the interaction as neonatal attachment behavior, with the mother's touch and attention fostering an early bond with the alert and responsive newborn.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's assessment of the first mother-infant encounter would likely be neonatal attachment behavior. The mother engages with her baby through touch, which newborns are responsive to, and maintains eye contact, which promotes bonding. The baby's alertness and responsiveness suggest a reciprocal interest in the mother, indicating the initiation of a bond. This attachment behavior is essential for the baby’s emotional and social development and supports future healthy relationships.