A nurse is caring for an infant who is being treated for dehydration. Which of the following findings indicates the treatment is effective?

A. Administer an antitoxin: There is no specific antitoxin available for anthrax. Treatment primarily involves antibiotics and supportive care.

B. Quarantine the client: Quarantine may not be necessary unless the client is confirmed to have an active infection or poses a risk of spreading the disease to others.

C. Monitor the client for a productive cough: While respiratory symptoms can occur in inhalation anthrax, monitoring for a productive cough alone may not be sufficient for management.

D. Begin prophylactic treatment with ciprofloxacin: Prophylactic antibiotic treatment with ciprofloxacin or doxycycline is recommended following exposure to anthrax to prevent the development of the disease.

A. This response may come across as confrontational and could potentially shut down further communication. It's important to offer support and empathy rather than immediately probing with questions.

B. While saying, "You can trust me and tell me what you are thinking," may foster trust, it is too vague and does not focus on assessing the client’s level of suicidal ideation or intent. Effective responses should prioritize safety by exploring specific details about the client’s thoughts.

C. "I need to know what you mean by misery" focuses on understanding the client’s emotional state but does not address the immediate concern of suicidal thoughts. While exploring the client’s feelings is important, it is secondary to assessing imminent risk.

D. Asking, "Do you have a plan to end your life?" is appropriate because it directly assesses the client’s risk for suicide. Determining whether the client has a specific plan, the means to carry it out, and intent to act is essential for evaluating the severity of the situation and implementing safety measures.