A nurse is assisting with the care of an infant who has myelomeningocele.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale

Watermelon with seeds poses a choking hazard for young children, making it an unsafe food choice. The seeds can easily get stuck in a child’s throat, leading to potential airway obstruction. Additionally, small children might not have the coordination to properly spit out seeds, increasing the risk of accidental swallowing and subsequent choking. Therefore, whole fruits with seeds are generally recommended to be avoided for toddlers.

Choice B rationale

Raw carrots are another choking hazard for young children due to their hard texture. Toddlers might not have developed the necessary chewing skills to safely eat raw vegetables, increasing the risk of choking. Small, hard foods like raw carrots can be difficult to chew and swallow, making them unsafe for children under the age of three. Cooked or finely chopped vegetables are safer alternatives.

Choice C rationale

Mashed potatoes are a safe and appropriate food choice for a 14-month-old child. They are soft, easy to chew, and swallow, reducing the risk of choking. Mashed potatoes can be easily modified to suit the nutritional needs and texture preferences of young children. They can also be fortified with other healthy ingredients like pureed vegetables or proteins to make a balanced meal for toddlers.

Choice D rationale

Popcorn is a known choking hazard for young children and is not recommended for those under the age of four. Popcorn kernels are small, hard, and irregularly shaped, making them difficult for young children to chew and swallow safely. The risk of choking on popcorn is high due to its propensity to lodge in the airway, causing potentially serious complications. .

Choice A rationale

Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant and chemotherapeutic agent, not typically used for treating muscle spasms in cerebral palsy. It is primarily used for autoimmune conditions and certain cancers.

Choice B rationale

Baclofen is a muscle relaxant and antispasmodic agent commonly used to treat muscle spasms in patients with cerebral palsy. It works by acting on the central nervous system to reduce spasticity and improve motor function.

Choice C rationale

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine that can also be used to manage muscle spasms. It has a calming effect on the brain and nerves, helping to reduce muscle stiffness and spasms in patients with cerebral palsy.

Choice D rationale

Prednisone is a corticosteroid that is used for its anti-inflammatory properties. While it may be used in various inflammatory conditions, it is not typically prescribed for muscle spasms in cerebral palsy.