A nurse is communicating with a child who has hearing loss. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Toddlers with phenylketonuria (PKU) need to limit their intake of phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein. Therefore, the toddler's protein consumption should be carefully controlled and monitored.

B. Foods high in iron do not need to be specifically limited for a child with PKU. Iron-rich foods are important for overall health and should be included in the diet.

C. Aspartame contains phenylalanine and should be avoided by individuals with PKU. PKU is a metabolic disorder that impairs the body's ability to break down phenylalanine, so it is important to limit phenylalanine intake.

D. This is correct. Foods containing milk products should be avoided, as they are a source of phenylalanine and can contribute to an excessive intake of this amino acid in a child with PKU. Instead, specialized medical foods low in phenylalanine are recommended.

A. Absent nuchal rigidity is a positive sign in the context of managing bacterial
meningitis, but it alone does not determine when droplet precautions can be discontinued.

B. This is the correct answer. A negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture indicates that the bacterial infection has been effectively treated. Once the CSF culture is negative, the child is no longer considered contagious and can be removed from droplet precautions.

C. The initiation of antibiotics is an important step in treating bacterial meningitis, but the passage of time alone does not indicate when precautions can be discontinued. The
effectiveness of treatment is better determined by laboratory and clinical indicators.

D. The temperature is an important clinical parameter, but a temperature below 37.4° C (99.3° F) alone does not determine when droplet precautions can be discontinued. The decision is based on the resolution of the infectious process, as indicated by negative cultures.