4 psych tasks for coping w/stress of sick newborn?

[The Bell Jar]

The homework question I have asks: Explain the four psychology tasks essential for coping with the stress of an at risk newborn.

I have read the chapter 3 times and it never says anything about these 4 psych tasks.The only thing I can find is in another chapter about fetal demise,where it talks about the 5 stages of grief.However,I do not think this is the answer.

At this point I can make an educated guess.But does anyone have any information?

[Jolie, BSN]

I believe you are on the right track with grief. What are the parents of a sick baby grieving? Additionally, what are the normal psychological adjustments necessary for new parents?

[The Bell Jar]

Thanks Jolie,I got it figured out :)

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

The tricky thing about assignments like this is that there is no "one size fits all" formula for how to cope with the stress of having a sick newborn.

The stages of grief are very relevant but a lot depends on the child's specific situation. Most of the newborns I see (I work in pediatrics) had a pre-natal diagnosis, usually of hydrocephalus or myelomeningocele. Some parents have gone through some of the stages of grief prior to the child's birth but it becomes a lot different when they have to learn complicated medical tasks just to take care of their child. Then there are the preemies who had no prenatal diagnosis but end up with a bleed which leads to them developing hydrocephalus and getting a permanent shunt placed. Some of these kids will have multiple co-morbidities and could end up being discharged with trachs, colostomies, feeding tubes, etc.

This is a great article, written by a mother of a child with a disability:

Welcome to Holland

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

if you look in your nanda under domain 7, role relationships, you'll find quite a few applicable possible nursing diagnoses for a family in this situation, and that will answer your questions handily. page 293 in the newest edition, nanda 2012-2014.