A nurse is contributing a nutritional plan of care for a child. Which of the following diagnostic tests should the nurse recommend for the child?

A. The vaccine is administered subcutaneously, or just underneath the skin. The pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) is given intramuscularly (IM), not subcutaneously. The preferred injection sites are the anterolateral thigh (for infants) or the deltoid muscle (for older children).

B. The first dose of the vaccine is administered at 2 months of age. This is correct. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is routinely given at 2, 4, 6, and 12–15 months of age to protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.

C. The vaccine is contraindicated in individuals who are allergic to gelatin. This is incorrect. The pneumococcal vaccine is not formulated with gelatin. Gelatin allergies are more relevant for vaccines like MMR and varicella. However, PCV13 should not be given to those with severe allergic reactions to any previous dose of the vaccine.

D. The vaccine is given in a series of six doses spread throughout the first 5 years of life. The PCV13 vaccine is given in a series of four doses, not six. While some high-risk children may require additional doses of PPSV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine), the routine childhood schedule consists of four doses.

A. Frequent assessments of blood glucose levels. While hypothyroidism can affect metabolism, levothyroxine does not typically require frequent blood glucose monitoring unless the client has diabetes or another metabolic condition.

B. Routine monitoring of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. TSH is the primary indicator used to assess whether levothyroxine dosage is effective. Routine TSH monitoring ensures that thyroid hormone levels remain within the target range, preventing complications such as under-treatment (persistent hypothyroid symptoms) or over-treatment (hyperthyroid symptoms like palpitations and weight loss).

C. Regular monitoring of blood pressure. While thyroid dysfunction can affect blood pressure, routine BP monitoring is not the primary focus of hypothyroidism management unless the client has additional risk factors for hypertension.

D. Continuous monitoring of body temperature. Hypothyroidism can cause cold intolerance, but continuous body temperature monitoring is not necessary unless the client is at risk for severe hypothyroidism complications such as myxedema coma.