A child with a history of frequent urinary tract infections is being evaluated.
Which teaching point is essential for the nurse to include?

Choice A rationale

Allergic reactions to food items typically manifest with systemic symptoms like hives, angioedema, vomiting, or diarrhea, in addition to skin manifestations. While a rash can occur, the localized nature of the dry, scaly patches on the hands, specifically after using a new hand soap, makes a food allergy less likely as the primary cause.

Choice B rationale

Irritant contact dermatitis is a localized inflammatory reaction of the skin caused by direct contact with an irritating substance. New scented hand soaps often contain chemicals and fragrances that can disrupt the skin barrier, leading to erythema, dryness, and scaling, particularly on areas frequently exposed like the hands. The absence of vesicles or oozing supports an irritant rather than an allergic reaction.

Choice C rationale

Fungal infections of the skin, such as tinea manuum, typically present with scaling, redness, and sometimes vesicles or pustules. While a pet can be a source of fungal infections, the recent introduction of a new hand soap makes an irritant reaction a more probable cause than a fungal infection, which usually develops more gradually.

Choice D rationale

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by itchy, red, and scaly patches. While it can affect the hands, it often has a history of exacerbations and remissions and may be associated with other atopic conditions like asthma or allergies. The sudden onset after using a new product points more towards contact dermatitis rather than an eczema flare-up in a child with no significant medical history.

Choice A rationale

Monitoring for signs of infection is crucial in children with spina bifida due to the potential for meningitis and urinary tract infections related to neurological deficits and potential openings in the spinal cord. Normal white blood cell count ranges from 4,500 to 11,000 per microliter, and fever, redness, swelling, or purulent drainage would indicate infection.

Choice B rationale

Encouraging mobility is important to promote development and prevent complications like contractures. However, in the immediate postoperative period or with significant neurological impairment, maintaining skin integrity takes precedence to prevent infection and further complications.

Choice C rationale

Providing nutritional support is essential for growth and development in children with spina bifida, who may have feeding difficulties or increased metabolic needs. Adequate nutrition supports overall health, but preventing skin breakdown in areas prone to pressure is a more immediate concern.

Choice D rationale

Maintaining skin integrity is the most important intervention because children with spina bifida often have sensory and motor deficits that make them susceptible to pressure ulcers, especially over bony prominences and the surgical site if a myelomeningocele repair has occurred. Skin breakdown can lead to serious infections and complications.