A nurse has just administered medication via an orogastric tube. What is the priority nursing action following administration?

A. Behavioral therapy: Behavioral therapy focuses on modifying specific maladaptive behaviors through reinforcement and conditioning techniques. While effective for older children, it may not be suitable for a 4-year-old who lacks the cognitive maturity to understand behavioral interventions fully.

B. Play therapy: Play therapy is most appropriate for young children because it allows them to express feelings, fears, and experiences through play rather than words. It helps build trust, reduce anxiety, and provides insight into the child’s emotional state, especially following trauma such as abuse.

C. Cognitive behavioral therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) relies on a child’s ability to identify and modify thought patterns, which typically develops later in childhood. A 4-year-old’s limited abstract thinking makes CBT less effective at this stage.

D. Family therapy: Family therapy can help improve communication and relationships within the family system but may not directly address the child’s need for a safe, nonverbal way to express trauma-related emotions and build trust with the therapist.

A. "I should avoid applying ice or heat to my genital area.": Applying ice packs wrapped in a clean cloth can help relieve pain and swelling associated with genital herpes. Heat, however, should be avoided as it may increase irritation.

B. "I need to wash my hands after touching any of the lesions.": Proper hand hygiene is essential to prevent autoinoculation or transmission of the herpes virus to other body parts or individuals. Washing hands thoroughly after contact with lesions helps minimize the risk of spreading the infection.

C. "I can try lukewarm sitz baths to help ease the discomfort.": Sitz baths using lukewarm water can soothe irritated tissues, promote cleanliness, and provide comfort during outbreaks. This measure helps relieve pain without aggravating the lesions.

D. "I need to abstain from intercourse primarily when the lesions are present.": Abstaining from sexual contact during active outbreaks reduces the risk of transmitting the herpes virus. However, even when lesions are absent, the virus can still shed asymptomatically, so barrier protection should always be recommended.