A mother visits her critically ill infant daily. Which comment most strongly suggests this mother is successfully progressing in attachment to her infant?

Choice A rationale:

Giving the patient a soft tissue is not the initial action to take when dealing with clear liquid drainage from the nose. Assessing the content of the drainage is more crucial for appropriate management.

Choice B rationale:

Checking the drainage for glucose content is essential because the presence of glucose indicates that the drainage is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which can occur with a skull fracture that involves the base of the skull.

Choice C rationale:

Obtaining a specimen of the drainage for culture and sensitivity is important, but it is not the initial action. Confirming the nature of the drainage takes precedence.

Choice D rationale:

Asking the father about nasal drainage before the injury is not as relevant as assessing the current drainage, which could be indicative of a CSF leak.

Reviewing the patient's complete blood count.

Choice A rationale:

Measuring height is not a priority when administering zidovudine.

Choice B rationale:

Monitoring weight gain is important but not the first priority.

Choice C rationale:

Reviewing the complete blood count is crucial before administering zidovudine, as this medication can cause bone marrow suppression. Checking for changes in white blood cell counts, hemoglobin, and platelet levels is essential to ensure the patient can tolerate the medication without severe adverse effects.

Choice D rationale:

Reviewing the patient's chemistry profile is relevant, but assessing blood counts is more critical due to zidovudine's potential impact on bone marrow function.