A Child Has Been Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

question 22

Multiple Choice

A child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.The distraught mother cries out,"I'm such a terrible mother.What did I do to cause this?" Which nursing reply is most appropriate?

• A) "Researchers really don't know what causes autistic disorder, but the relationship between autistic disorder and fetal alcohol syndrome is being explored."
• B) "Poor parenting doesn't cause autism. Research has shown that abnormalities in brain structure and/or function are to blame. This is beyond your control."
• C) "Research has shown that the mother appears to play a greater role in the development of this disorder than the father."
• D) "Lack of early infant bonding with the mother has shown to be a cause of autistic disorder. Did you breastfeed or bottle-feed?"

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Definitions:

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

A serious blood disorder in newborns caused by an incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and baby.

Blood Transfusions

The process of transferring blood or blood products from one person into the circulatory system of another, commonly used to replace lost components of the blood.

RhoGAM Injections

Immunoglobulin injections given to Rh-negative mothers during and after pregnancy to prevent Rh incompatibility with an Rh-positive fetus.

Clumping

The process of gathering or sticking together in groups or clusters, commonly referring to blood cells in a context of agglutination tests.