A nurse is caring for a fussy 2-month-old infant who is postoperative following surgical repair of a cleft lip. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale

Distracting the patient and then taking the blanket for washing might seem like a practical solution, but it can lead to trust issues. The patient may feel betrayed or tricked, which can negatively affect the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the patient.

Choice B rationale

Acknowledging that the blanket seems to be his favorite and allowing him to keep it with him is the best course of action. The blanket likely provides comfort and security to the patient.

Taking it away, even temporarily, can cause distress. The nurse should respect the patient’s attachment to the blanket and look for alternative solutions for maintaining hygiene, such as offering to clean the blanket when the patient is ready to part with it temporarily.

Choice C rationale

Telling the patient that you want to take the blanket home to wash and that you will bring it back might not be reassuring enough for the patient. The patient may worry about the blanket getting lost or not returned, which can cause unnecessary anxiety.

Choice D rationale

Suggesting getting him another blanket so that he will not mind giving up the current one might not work. The patient’s attachment is likely to the specific blanket, not to blankets in general. A new blanket will not have the same familiarity and comforting effect as the old one.

Choice A rationale

Supervising the child in outdoor, fenced play areas is a key safety measure for toddlers. At this age, children are exploring their environment and may not be aware of potential dangers.

Fenced play areas provide a safe space for the child to play while still being under the watchful eye of the parents. This demonstrates an understanding of the child’s safety needs.

Choice B rationale

Allowing a toddler to cross the street with a 6-year-old sibling is not a safe practice. Children at this age do not have the cognitive ability to understand the dangers of traffic and cannot make safe decisions about when to cross the street. Therefore, this action does not demonstrate an understanding of the child’s safety needs.

Choice C rationale

Using an automobile booster seat with a lap belt is not appropriate for an 18-month-old toddler. According to safety guidelines, children under the age of 2 should be in a rear-facing car seat, and children between the ages of 2 and 4 should be in a forward-facing car seat with a harness. Booster seats are typically used for older children who have outgrown their forward- facing car seats. Therefore, this action does not demonstrate an understanding of the child’s safety needs.

Choice D rationale

Teaching a toddler about swimming and water safety is important, but it is not enough to ensure the child’s safety. Toddlers should always be supervised around water, even if they have had swimming lessons. Drowning is a leading cause of death in toddlers, and it can happen quickly and silently. Therefore, while teaching water safety is a good step, it needs to be combined with other safety measures.