A nurse is assessing a toddler for developmental milestones.
At what age should a child be able to build a tower of six cubes?

Choice A rationale

Preschoolers (ages 3-5 years) are at risk for drowning, often due to their increasing independence and exploration without fully understanding water hazards. However, they are generally more coordinated than toddlers and may have some understanding of safety rules.

Choice B rationale

Toddlers (ages 1-3 years) are at the greatest risk for drowning due to their natural curiosity, developing mobility, and lack of awareness of danger. They can wander off and fall into pools, bathtubs, or even buckets of water. Their head-to-body ratio makes it difficult for them to lift their heads if they fall face-first into water.

Choice C rationale

Infants (under 1 year) are dependent on caregivers and are typically supervised closely around water. While they can drown in shallow water, their lack of mobility reduces their risk compared to toddlers who are actively exploring their environment.

Choice D rationale

Teenagers, while still at risk for drowning, often due to risk-taking behaviors around water or substance use, generally have a better understanding of water safety than younger children and are more physically capable in the water.

Choice A rationale

Asking if the child has eaten recently is important for understanding potential causes of elevated blood glucose and to consider the timing of insulin administration relative to meals. However, it does not directly ensure the medication being administered is correct for the right patient.

Choice B rationale

Verifying the child's identity using at least two identifiers and comparing the medication order to the prescription ensures that the right medication, dose, route, and time are being administered to the correct patient. This is a critical step in preventing medication errors and ensuring patient safety, especially with a high-risk medication like insulin.

Choice C rationale

Ensuring the child is comfortable and relaxed is beneficial for the child's overall well-being and can indirectly influence physiological parameters. However, it does not directly address the critical step of verifying the medication and patient identity before administration.

Choice D rationale

Preparing insulin without checking the expiration date is a medication error. Expired medications may have reduced potency or altered chemical properties, potentially leading to ineffective treatment or adverse effects. Checking the expiration date is a fundamental safety check.