The nurse managing the admission nursery is beginning the shift. There are 2 infants under the care of a primary staff nurse and are remaining in the nursery while their mothers sleep. One newborn is...

The nurse managing the admission nursery is beginning the shift. There are 2 infants under the care of a primary staff nurse and are remaining in the nursery while their mothers sleep. One newborn is waiting to be transferred to the special care nursery (SCN) with a diagnosis of possible sepsis. The SCN cannot accept a transfer for 30 minutes. The nurse has been notified that another infant has been born and is breathing at a rate of 80 bpm and needs to be admitted to the nursery. There are also two infants who are waiting for social services to determine follow-up. There can be no other additions to the nursery until at least one newborn leaves the area. How should the nurse manage this situation?

1. Ask the nurses in SCN if they can take the newborn with possible sepsis now.

2. Ask the primary staff nurses to take their babies back to the sleeping mothers' rooms.

3. Call social services to determine if either of the babies who are waiting to be discharged is ready to leave.

4. Ask the nurse with the infant who is breathing at 80 bpm to wait ½ hour.