A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a toddler.

Exhibits

Complete the following sentence by using the list of options.

The nurse should first 

A. "Encourage your child to drink liquids through a straw." Using a straw can create negative pressure that may dislodge clots at the surgical site, increasing the risk of bleeding. Therefore, this is not recommended.

B. "Notify the provider if your child is swallowing frequently." Frequent swallowing can be a sign of bleeding at the surgical site. It’s important to monitor for this as it may indicate that the child is swallowing blood, which could lead to serious complications.

C. "Encourage your child to clear their throat as needed." Clearing the throat can cause irritation and increase the risk of bleeding at the surgical site. It is generally advised to avoid actions that might disturb the surgical site.

D. "Notify the provider if your child has dark brown blood between their teeth." Dark brown blood can indicate old blood which is less concerning than bright red blood. However, any bleeding should be monitored, and bright red blood is of particular concern. The more immediate issue is frequent swallowing as it indicates active bleeding

A. "You should use a mild detergent for your child's laundry.": Correct. Using a mild detergent helps to minimize irritation and sensitivity, especially for children with skin conditions like eczema, which may benefit from pimecrolimus cream.
B. "You can apply gloves to your child's hands.": Correct. Applying gloves can prevent scratching and further irritation to the skin, especially if the child has lesions or eczema on their hands.
C. "You should cut and file your child's fingernails frequently.": Correct. Keeping the child's fingernails short and filed can prevent accidental scratching and trauma to the skin, reducing the risk of exacerbating skin lesions.
D. "You should apply emollients to your child's skin after bathing.": Correct. Emollients help to moisturize the skin and prevent dryness, which can be beneficial for children with skin conditions like eczema. Applying emollients after bathing helps to lock in moisture.
E. "You should apply a thick layer of pimecrolimus cream to your child's lesions.": Incorrect. Pimecrolimus cream should be applied in a thin layer to the affected skin areas, as directed by the healthcare provider. Using a thick layer may not improve efficacy and could increase the risk of side effects.
F. "Your child's condition is contagious when lesions are present.": Correct. It's important for the guardian to understand that certain skin conditions, such as eczema, may not be contagious themselves but can become infected if lesions are present and scratched, leading to bacterial or viral infections.
G. "Your child will experience occasional flare-ups of this condition.": Correct. Skin conditions like eczema often have a chronic and relapsing course, with periods of exacerbation (flare-ups) and remission. Providing this information helps the guardian understand the chronic nature of the condition and the need for ongoing management and monitoring.