Final answer:
The medical assistant should acknowledge the mother's concerns, offer reassurance, and redirect the focus to the child's care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appropriate response from the medical assistant would be to acknowledge and validate the mother's concerns, while also providing reassurance and support. The medical assistant could say something like, "I understand that you're feeling guilty about the dog coming over and the incident that happened. It's important to remember that accidents can happen even when we take precautions. Let's focus on getting your child the care they need right now." By acknowledging the mother's feelings and redirecting the focus to the child's care, the medical assistant can help provide emotional support and address the immediate medical needs.