Learning Exercises: 

Framework for Maternal and Child Health Nursing

 Complete the following exercises after reading the concepts assigned to you.

A.    What is the primary goal of maternal and child health nursing? Considering its scope of practice
is so broad, what is its range of inclusions?

 Primary Goal of Maternal and Child Health Nursing:

- The primary goal of maternal and child health nursing care can be stated simply as the
promotion and maintenance of optimal family health to ensure cycles of optimal
childbearing and childrearing. Given the variety of possible approaches, the aims of the
two components must be broad with the range of services and care that may be provided
by a nurse based on state requirements is so broad. These two also promotes the use of
excellent healthcare for children, newborns, and family planners.

 The range of practice includes:

1. Pre-conceptual health care,

2. Care of women during three trimesters of pregnancy and the puerperium, (the 6
weeks after childbirth, sometimes termed the fourth trimester of pregnancy)

3. Care of infants during the prenatal period, (6 weeks before conception to 6

weeks after birth)

4. Care of children from birth through adolescence, and

5. Care in settings as varied as the birthing room, the pediatric intensive care unit
and the home.

Reference: Lippincott, UNIT 1 - Maternal and Child Health Nursing Practice, Page 4.

B.    Explain briefly the following philosophies of maternal and child health nursing:

1. Maternal and child health nursing is family-centered.

- The assessment should always include the family as well as an individual. Family-
centered care enables nurses to better understand individuals and their effect on others and, in
turn, to provide more holistic care. It is family-centered since the family is what helps the patient
as she carries the child and keep it in her womb for a long period of time.

2. Maternal and child health nursing includes a high degree of independent

nursing functions.
 - Maternal and child health nursing includes a high degree of independent nursing
functions, because teaching and counseling are so frequently required. It is crucial to have a
wider viewpoint and use it for the patient's best interests after understanding the nursing
procedure that is required for us to assist the patient.

3. A maternal and child health nurse serves as an advocate to protect the rights of all
family members, including the fetus.

- Maternal and child health nurse serves as an advocate to protect the rights of all family
members, including the fetus. To ensure maternal and child health, health services must be given
primarily and efficiently.

C.    The United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization established millennium health
goals in 2000 to improve health worldwide. State one (1) global health goal for the nursing care
of women and new born and explain briefly.

         1.     One (1) standard for the nursing care of women and new born.

- To improve maternal health.

         2.      Explain briefly.

- Improved maternal health benefits not just the mother's and her family's health, but also
the number of women in the workforce, which boosts the economic prosperity of
communities and nations. Improving maternal health is a focal point to saving the lives of
more than half a million women who die as a result of complications from pregnancy and
childbirth each year. Every pregnancy and birth is unique. To guarantee that all women
have access to respectful and excellent maternity care, it is essential to address inequities
that have an impact on health outcomes, particularly those related to sexual and
reproductive health and rights and gender.

D. Maternal and child health nurses function in a variety of settings. Name at least four (4)
professional roles and describe briefly.

Professional Role Description

Nurse-Midwife An individual educated in the two disciplines of

nursing and midwifery and licensed according to
the requirements of the American College of
Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), has played an
important role in assisting women with
pregnancy and childbearing.
 Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) A neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is an
advanced-practice role for nurses who are skilled
in the care of newborns, both well and ill. NNPs
may worn in level 1, level 2, or level 3 newborn
nurseries; neonatal follow-up clinics or physician
group. They also transport ill infant to different
care settings.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) A nurse prepared with extensive skills in

physical assessment, interviewing, and well-child
counseling and care.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Is an advanced practice role that provides health
care not only to women but to the family as well.
In conjunction with a physician, an FNP can
provide prenatal care for a woman with an
uncomplicated pregnancy.

 Reference: Lippincott, UNIT 1 - Maternal and Child Health Nursing Practice, Page 23.

E.    Read the situation below. Fill out the table and apply one (1) nursing theory to maternal-child
care through this situation.

Situation: Claire is an eight-year old child who is hospitalized because her left leg was severely
injured in a vehicular accident. There is a possibility she will never have full use of her leg again.
Claire’s mother is concerned because Claire loves to join in a dance show in school. Claire is a
happy and bubbly girl before the accident.

Theorist Major Concepts of Theory Emphasis of Care

 Sister Callista Roy The role of the nurse is to aid
clients to help patients adjust to the
changes brought on by disease; the
degree of environmental change
and coping capacity determine the
extent of adaptation; full adaptation
includes physiologic
interdependence.
Assess Claire’s ability to use
her right- leg to replace her left
leg functions, which are now
lost; direct nursing care toward
replacing deficit with other
factors, self- concept, role
function, and skills.

Reference: Lippincott, UNIT 1 - Maternal and Child Health Nursing Practice, Page 9.