A nurse is contributing to a plan of care for an 8-year-old child prescribed an anticonvulsant for pain. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse plan to make? (Select All that Apply.)

A. Recommending early intervention services for developmental support within the first month after birth. Early intervention is critical for children with Down syndrome to support cognitive, motor, and social development. Services such as physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy should begin as soon as possible to maximize the child's developmental potential.

B. Suggesting the parents consider genetic testing to guide future reproductive decisions. While genetic counseling can be beneficial for family planning, this is not the immediate priority for parents who are just beginning to care for their newborn with Down syndrome. The focus should be on supporting the child's development and parental education.

C. Encouraging the parents to research advancements in treatments for Down syndrome independently. While learning about Down syndrome is important, parents should receive guidance from healthcare professionals and support organizations rather than being left to navigate information on their own. Providing credible resources is more appropriate.

D. Providing the parents with a list of local pediatricians for well-child check-ups and vaccinations. While pediatric follow-ups are necessary, Down syndrome care goes beyond standard well-child visits. A more comprehensive approach includes early intervention services, specialty care (e.g., cardiology, ENT), and developmental support.

A. Provide frequent and routine verbal updates with the parents. Regular updates help reduce parental anxiety and build trust between the healthcare team and the family. Keeping parents informed reassures them that their child is receiving appropriate care.

B. Encourage the parents to participate in the toddler's plan of care when appropriate. Involving parents in simple caregiving tasks (e.g., soothing the child, assisting with feedings) fosters a sense of control and connection, easing their distress.

C. Perform more frequent health care rounds on the toddler. Increased monitoring ensures early detection of respiratory complications and reassures parents that their child's condition is being closely managed.

D. Conduct interprofessional rounds at the child's bedside so the parents can be included. Including parents in bedside rounds allows them to hear updates from multiple specialists, ask questions, and feel more engaged in decision-making regarding their child's care.

E. Reinforce education to the parents on all nursing interventions to alleviate added anxiety about tasks they are unfamiliar with. While educating parents is important, overwhelming them with detailed explanations of every intervention may actually increase anxiety rather than alleviate it. Teaching should be concise and tailored to what the parents need to know at the moment.

F. Provide the parents with the nurse's personal cell phone number to contact if they have questions while they are away from the hospital. Personal phone numbers should not be given out for professional and ethical reasons. Instead, parents should be provided with the hospital unit’s contact information for any concerns.