Question

a nurse is caring for a newborn whose mother voices concerns about sudden infant death syndrome (sids). the nurse should include which of the following statements in a discussion with the mother?

\placing your child on her back when sleeping will decrease the risk of sids.\
\sids rates have been rising over the last 10 years.\
\sids is directly correlated with the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines.\
\sleep apnea is the main cause of sids.\

Explanation:

Analyze the clinical scenario

The question asks for the correct statement a nurse should make to a mother concerned about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The nurse needs to provide evidence-based education regarding safe sleep practices and SIDS risk factors.

Evaluate the first option

The first option states: "Placing your child on her back when sleeping will decrease the risk of SIDS."

• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep guidelines, placing infants on their backs (supine position) for every sleep period is the single most effective action to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is a highly accurate and appropriate statement.

Evaluate the second option

The second option states: "SIDS rates have been rising over the last 10 years."

• This statement is factually incorrect. SIDS rates have significantly declined since the launch of the "Back to Sleep" campaign in the 1990s and have generally remained stable or continued to decrease with improved safe sleep education.

Evaluate the third option

The third option states: "SIDS is directly correlated with the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines."

• This is a common misconception. Extensive scientific research has shown that vaccines, including the DTaP vaccine, do not cause SIDS and are not correlated with an increased risk of SIDS. In fact, some studies suggest that vaccination may have a protective effect against SIDS.

Evaluate the fourth option

The fourth option states: "Sleep apnea is the main cause of SIDS."

• This is incorrect. While SIDS involves respiratory and arousal mechanisms, sleep apnea is not classified as the main or direct cause of SIDS. SIDS is multifactorial, often explained by the triple-risk model (vulnerable infant, critical developmental period, and exogenous stressors like prone sleeping).

Formulate the final recommendation

The nurse should reinforce safe sleep positioning as it is the primary modifiable risk factor. Therefore, advising the mother to place the infant on her back to sleep is the correct and safest intervention.

Answer:

• "Placing your child on her back when sleeping will decrease the risk of SIDS." (Correct answer)
• "SIDS rates have been rising over the last 10 years."
• "SIDS is directly correlated with the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines."
• "Sleep apnea is the main cause of SIDS."