A nurse is caring for a preschooler who is postoperative following a tonsillectomy. The child is now ready to resume oral intake.
Which of the following dietary choices should the nurse offer the child?

A 24-gauge catheter is the smallest-gauge catheter and is appropriate for administering IV fluids and medications to an infant.

Choice B is wrong because an opaque dressing would prevent the nurse from visualizing the insertion site.

Choice C is wrong because starting an IV in an infant’s foot can be painful and difficult to secure.

Choice D is wrong because IV sites should be changed every 72-96 hours or according to facility policy.

The correct answer is d. Exhibits head lag when pulled to a sitting position.

Choice A: Unable to hold a bottle At around 6 months of age, some babies can hold their own bottle. This is not a concerning finding for a 5-month-old infant. Therefore, this is not the correct answer.

Choice B: Unable to roll from back to abdomen Rolling over often starts around 4-6 months, so it’s not unusual for a 5-month-old to still be developing this skill. Therefore, this is not the correct answer.

Choice C: Absent grasp reflex The grasp reflex is an involuntary movement that your baby starts making in utero and continues doing until around 6 months of age. The grasp reflex lasts until the baby is about 5 to 6 months old. Therefore, this is not the correct answer.

Choice D: Exhibits head lag when pulled to a sitting position By the age of 5 months, most infants have developed enough strength in their neck and upper body to control their head movement. This means they should not exhibit a significant head lag when pulled to a sitting position1. If this is not the case, it could indicate a delay in motor development or a potential neurological issue, which should be reported to the healthcare provider for further evaluation. Therefore, this is the correct answer.