Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

What safety instruction should a nurse provide to parents to help prevent SIDS?

1. Place the infant in a prone position to sleep.

2. Allow the infant to sleep on a large pillow.

3. Use a soft mattress in the infant's crib.

4. Give the infant a pacifier at bedtime.

The correct answer is: Give the infant a pacifier at bedtime.

The recommendation to give the infant a pacifier at bedtime is a key safety instruction in helping to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Research has shown that pacifier use during sleep can significantly reduce the risk of SIDS. The mechanism is not fully understood, but it may be related to how pacifiers can influence an infant's sleep patterns and airway protection. Using a pacifier may facilitate an infant’s arousal from sleep during critical times, ensuring that they remain responsive and can avoid suffocation scenarios. Moreover, pacifier use is believed to be associated with a lower risk of airway obstruction, which is essential in reducing SIDS risk. In contrast, other options present practices that are not recommended or are unsafe. Placing an infant in a prone position, allowing them to sleep on a large pillow, and using a soft mattress increase the risk of suffocation or obstructive breathing during sleep, which are significant factors associated with SIDS. Thus, promoting the use of a pacifier aligns with safety guidelines aimed at reducing the incidence of SIDS.