A client is admitted to the intensive care unit with diabetes insipidus due to a pituitary gland tumor.

Which potential complication should the nurse monitor closely?

Choice A rationale:

A bottle is generally much better than using a pacifier. This statement is not accurate. Prolonged bottle use, especially with sugary liquids like milk, can have adverse effects on a child's dental health. It can lead to an increased risk of cavities, similar to prolonged pacifier use.

Choice B rationale:

The bottle will assist in preventing thumb sucking. This statement is incorrect. While a bottle may provide comfort to a child, it does not prevent thumb sucking. Thumb sucking is a separate behavior that may also have dental implications if it persists beyond a certain age.

Choice C rationale:

Prolonged bottle use can increase the risk for cavities. This response is correct. Prolonged bottle use, especially with milk or sugary beverages, can expose the child's teeth to prolonged contact with sugars, increasing the risk of cavities. It's important for the nurse to educate the mother about the potential dental risks associated with extended bottle use.

Choice D rationale:

Using milk rather than juice helps to avoid tooth decay. While milk is generally considered a healthier choice than juice, the key issue in this scenario is the prolonged use of the bottle, regardless of its content. Prolonged bottle use with any liquid, including milk, can still increase the risk of cavities.

Choice A rationale:

Serum sodium level. Rationale: While electrolyte imbalances can be significant, in the context of purulent drainage at a postoperative site, monitoring serum sodium levels is not the top priority. Other laboratory values are more relevant in this situation.

Choice B rationale:

Hematocrit. Rationale: Hematocrit measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood and is not directly related to wound drainage or infection. It is not the most relevant parameter to assess in this situation.

Choice C rationale:

Neutrophil count. Rationale: Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the body's immune response, particularly against bacterial infections. Elevated neutrophil counts can indicate an ongoing infection, so monitoring this value is important when assessing purulent wound drainage.

Choice D rationale:

Platelet count. Rationale: Platelet count measures the number of blood clotting cells in the blood and is not directly related to wound drainage or infection. It is not the most relevant parameter to assess in this situation.