A nurse is assessing a toddler who has heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. "The manifestations are lessened by taking the prednisone every other day instead of daily."
Correct Answer: Cushingoid characteristics can be associated with long-term corticosteroid use. Taking prednisone every other day, rather than daily, can help minimize these manifestations while still providing the needed therapeutic effect.
B. "You need to be sure to talk to the doctor about the Cushingoid characteristics."
Incorrect: While it is important for the parents to communicate with the doctor, this statement is less therapeutic than option 3, which opens up a more collaborative and supportive conversation.
C. "Which manifestations of this condition do you find most troublesome?"
Correct Answer: This open-ended question allows the parents to express their concerns and frustrations. It facilitates communication between the parents and healthcare provider to address specific issues they find most troublesome.
D. "I am sure it will be all right; they hardly look unusual."
Incorrect: Downplaying the parents' concerns may not be the most therapeutic approach. Acknowledging their concerns and providing information about the reversible nature of cushingoid characteristics would be more helpful.
E. "The cushingoid appearance will gradually disappear once the corticosteroids are tapered and discontinued."
Correct Answer: Cushingoid characteristics are reversible, and they tend to improve as the dose of corticosteroids is tapered and eventually discontinued.

A. "The immunization schedule will need to be altered."
Incorrect: This is too vague and does not provide specific information about the child's immunization schedule.
B. "The child will receive all of the immunizations except for the polio series."
Incorrect: There is no indication that the child should not receive the polio vaccine. Children with cystic fibrosis are generally recommended to receive all appropriate vaccinations.
C. "The child will receive the recommended basic series of immunizations along with a yearly influenza vaccination."
Correct Answer: Children with cystic fibrosis should receive the recommended basic series of immunizations, including vaccines for diseases such as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B, and others. Additionally, they should receive a yearly influenza vaccination to help prevent respiratory complications.
D. "The child should not receive any hepatitis vaccines."
Incorrect: There is no general contraindication for children with cystic fibrosis to receive hepatitis vaccines. The nurse should recommend the appropriate vaccines, including those for hepatitis B, as per the standard immunization schedule.