Final answer:
The nurse should understand the positive feedback mechanism during lactation, which increases milk flow in response to a baby nursing. This mechanism is part of the broader physiologic changes of pregnancy that a healthcare provider should be familiar with when caring for pregnant women.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse's response regarding a baby nursing should be based on the understanding of the normal physiologic changes of pregnancy and lactation. When a baby nurses, there is a positive feedback mechanism that occurs to increase milk flow to the nipple, which is necessary for successful breastfeeding. This is the opposite of a negative feedback loop, which works to maintain homeostasis by reversing a change.
The nurse should recognize that stimulation at the nipple increases the secretion of prolactin and oxytocin, leading to milk production and milk ejection, respectively. Additionally, the nurse should be aware that during pregnancy, various changes in organ systems—including digestive and urinary—can influence both the mother's and the baby's health. Therefore, the nurse's knowledge of these changes is essential for providing appropriate care and advice to the mother.