A nurse is caring for a client who has Alzheimer's disease.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale:

Encouraging fluid intake of 2,500 mL/day is the correct choice for a client with a fever due to an infection. Adequate hydration is essential in managing fever as it helps to prevent dehydration, maintain electrolyte balance, and support the body's immune response. Increasing fluid intake, preferably water, can also aid in lowering body temperature and promoting overall comfort.

Choice B rationale:

Maintaining the environmental temperature at 16°C to 18°C (60°F to 65°F) is not an appropriate intervention for a client with a fever. While it's essential to keep the client comfortable, adjusting the room temperature within a specific range is not the primary intervention. Focus should be on managing the fever through hydration, antipyretic medications, and addressing the underlying infection.

Choice C rationale:

Immersing the client in cold water is not a recommended intervention for managing fever. Cold water immersion can lead to shock, vasoconstriction, and potentially worsen the condition. It is essential to use methods like tepid sponging or cooling blankets if necessary, but these interventions should be performed under healthcare provider guidance and monitoring.

Choice D rationale:

Assisting the client to ambulate is a general nursing care activity and does not specifically address the fever due to infection. While ambulation is encouraged for many patients to prevent complications related to immobility, it is not the primary intervention for managing fever. The focus should be on hydration and other appropriate measures to reduce fever.

Choice A rationale:

The anterior fontanel is open in an 8-month-old infant. The anterior fontanel, located at the top of the baby's head where the skull bones have not yet fused, typically closes between 12 to 18 months of age. It is a normal finding in an 8-month-old infant.

Choice B rationale:

The posterior fontanel closes earlier than the anterior fontanel, usually within the first few months of life. It is a smaller diamond-shaped area located at the back of the baby's head. It is not expected to be open in an 8-month-old infant.

Choice C rationale:

Molding refers to the shaping of the fetal head during passage through the birth canal. It can cause temporary changes in the shape of the baby's skull. By 8 months of age, molding is not an expected finding as the skull bones have had time to return to their normal shape.

Choice D rationale:

Both fontanels being the same size is not a typical finding. The anterior fontanel is larger than the posterior fontanel, and their sizes are proportional. Any significant deviation from this proportion could indicate abnormal skull development and should be further assessed.