The baby born at 23-weeks-gestation is 6 hours old when a pneumothorax develops and the patient decompensates rapidly. Despite stabilization of the airway and evacuation of the pneumothorax, the baby is not responding to chest compressions and intravenous epinephrine and is deemed unlikely to survive. The parents request the baby to be baptized before life-saving interventions are ceased. The chaplain is called but is unable to make it to the hospital immediately. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

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Baptize the baby and place the baby in the mother’s arms. In emergencies, anyone can baptize a dying infant to ensure the baptism is performed prior to death. Continuing to provide CPR to the infant prevents the child from passing with peace and dignity in the mother&rsquo;s arms. Telling the parents that God will accept the baby into heaven because no chaplain was available is not appropriate. Contacting the house supervisor wastes valuable time.

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