A nurse is planning a staff in-service about infection control measures to prevent the spread of influenza in school-age children. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A. "Apply firm pressure to the wound base while removing the gauze dressing." Applying firm pressure can cause pain and damage the wound bed, delaying healing and increasing the risk of bleeding.

B. "Irrigate the wound with half-strength hydrogen peroxide while removing the gauze dressing." Hydrogen peroxide can damage healthy tissue and delay wound healing. It is not recommended for routine wound care.

C. "Continue to remove the gauze dressing by pulling it parallel to the skin." Removing a dry gauze dressing without moistening it can cause trauma to the wound bed, increasing pain and impeding healing.

D. "Saturate the gauze dressing with sterile saline solution prior to removing it." Moistening the dressing with sterile saline reduces trauma to the wound, prevents tissue damage, and minimizes pain. This method is preferred for atraumatic dressing removal.

A. Use simple diagrams to explain the procedure. Children benefit from visual aids to help them understand medical procedures. Using simple diagrams can help the child visualize what will happen during the tonsillectomy in a non-threatening way and make the process less intimidating.

B. Indicate on a stuffed animal where the procedure will be performed. While a stuffed animal might be useful for younger children, a 9-year-old is more likely to benefit from a visual aid that is more aligned with their cognitive and developmental level. Simple diagrams or pictures would be more appropriate for this age group.

C. Provide teaching immediately before the procedure. It is more effective to provide teaching well before the procedure to allow the child time to process and ask questions. Immediate preoperative teaching might lead to increased anxiety and may not allow enough time for the child to fully understand.

D. Discuss the benefits of the procedure. While it is important to acknowledge the purpose of the procedure, focusing on the benefits alone might not address the child's concerns and anxieties about the procedure. Explaining the procedure in a straightforward and understandable manner, without overemphasizing the benefits, is usually more effective in reducing anxiety.