A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as being consistent with hyperglycemia?

Administer sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim: Anticipated

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim) are commonly prescribed antibiotics for treating urinary tract infections, especially in children. They are effective against the bacteria commonly responsible for UTIs, such as Escherichia coli.

Administer salicylic acid for pain and fever: Contraindicated

Salicylic acid is not recommended for pain and fever management in children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition that can occur in children recovering from viral infections, particularly after using salicylate-containing medications. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are safer options for pain and fever relief in children with UTIs.

Educate the child about proper perineal hygiene. Anticipated

Proper perineal hygiene is essential for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections. Teaching the child about wiping from front to back after urination and bowel movements helps reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into the urinary tract.

Advise child's guardian about the use of sunscreen. Contraindicated

While sunscreen is important for protecting the skin from harmful UV rays, it is not directly related to the management of urinary tract infections. The priority should be on treating the infection and ensuring proper hygiene. Sunscreen advice may be relevant in general health discussions but is not specifically indicated for the current condition.

Ensure the child receives a maximum of 1,200 mL/day of fluid. Contraindicated

Adequate fluid intake is crucial for flushing out bacteria from the urinary tract and preventing dehydration. Restricting fluid intake to 1,200 mL/day may lead to concentrated urine, which can exacerbate urinary tract infections and increase the risk of complications. Encouraging adequate fluid intake, particularly water, is important for managing UTIs in children.

A. The child's oxygen saturation is 96% on room air. This is a normal oxygen saturation level for an infant on room air and does not indicate neurological impairment. Normal oxygen saturation levels are typically between 95% and 100%.

B. The child reports pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. A 6-month-old infant cannot verbally report pain on a numeric scale. Pain assessment in infants is typically done using behavioral and physiological indicators, not a numeric scale. This choice is not relevant for this age group.

C. The child is drowsy but responds immediately to verbal stimuli. This could be an indication of neurological impairment. While infants can sleep a lot, being excessively drowsy and requiring verbal stimuli to respond could suggest an altered level of consciousness, which warrants further assessment for potential neurological issues.

D. The child's blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg. This is within normal limits for a 6-month-old infant and does not indicate neurological impairment. Normal blood pressure for infants ranges from about 70-100/50-65 mm Hg.