Chapter 1

A Framework for Maternal and

Child Health Nursing

Goal of Maternal and

Child Health
Promotion and maintenance of optimal
family health to ensure cycles of
optimal childbearing and childrearing

Maternal and Child

Health Practice
Preconceptual health care
Care of women throughout pregnancy
Care of children during perinatal
period
Care of children from birth through
adolescence
Care in all settings

Framework of Nursing Care

Health promotion
Health maintenance
Health restoration
Health rehabilitation

The Nursing Process

Applicable for all health care settings
Assessment
Nursing diagnosis
Planning
Implementation
Evaluation

Evidence-Based Practice
Use of research or controlled
investigation of a problem in
conjunction with clinical expertise as
a foundation for action

Nursing Research
Controlled investigation of problems
that have implications for nursing
practice
Justification for implementing activities
for outcomes
Results in improved and cost-effective
patient care

Nursing Theories
How nurses view clients
Goals of nursing care
Activities of nursing care

Maternal and Child

Health Nursing

Maternal and Child

Health Nursing
20th century
Infant mortality rate >100 per 1,000

Today
6.9 per 1,000

Trends in Maternal and

Child Health Nursing Population

Measurements of Maternal
and Child Health
Birth rate
Fertility rate
Fetal death rate
Neonatal death rate
Perinatal death rate

Measurements of Maternal
and Child Health
Maternal mortality rate
Infant mortality rate
Childhood mortality rate
Childhood morbidity rate

Trends in Health
Care Environment
Cost Containment
Delegation
Right task for the situation
Right person to complete the task
Right communication concerning what is to
be done
Right evaluation that the task was
completed

Trends in Health
Care Environment
Alternative settings and styles
Home
Hospitals
Birthing centers

Strengthening the ambulatory care

setting
Shortening hospital stays

Trends in Health
Care Environment
Including the family in health care
Increased number of intensive care units
Regionalization of intensive care
Increased reliance on comprehensive
care settings
Increased use of alternative treatment
modalities

Trends in Health
Care Environment
Increased reliance on home care
Increased use of technology
Health care concerns and attitudes
Increasing concern regarding health
care costs
Increasing emphasis on preventive
care

Trends in Health
Care Environment
Increasing emphasis on familycentered care
Increasing concern for quality of life
Increasing awareness of the
individuality of clients
Empowerment of health care
consumers

Advanced Practice Nursing

Clinical nurse specialists
Case manager
Nurse-midwife

Advanced Practice Nursing

Nurse practitioner
Womens health
Family
Neonatal
Pediatric

Legal Considerations
Protection of the rights of clients
Accountability for nursing care
Identifying and reporting suspected
child abuse
Scope of practice
Documentation

Ethical Considerations
Conception issues
Abortion
Fetal rights
Resuscitation

Ethical Considerations
Procedures
Quality of life
Research