A nurse is preparing a 4-year-old child for a tonsillectomy. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Choice A reason: A 24-gauge catheter is appropriate for a small and fragile vein of a 12-month-old infant. It minimizes the risk of damaging the vein and ensures the comfort of the infant during IV therapy.

Choice B reason: Starting an IV in the infant's foot is not the first choice due to the risk of movement dislodging the catheter. The hand or the antecubital fossa are preferred sites for IV insertion in infants.

Choice C reason: While it is important to cover the IV insertion site, an opaque dressing is not necessary. A transparent dressing is preferred as it allows for continuous visibility of the site for signs of infection or phlebitis.

Choice D reason: The IV site should not be routinely changed every 3 days. It should be changed based on clinical indications such as signs of infection, infiltration, or phlebitis, or if the IV becomes dislodged.

Choice A reason:

This option addresses electrical safety, which is important for preventing shocks and strangulation hazards in toddlers. However, it does not directly prevent burn injuries from hot water, which is the focus of the question. While hiding wires reduces overall household risks, it does not mitigate scalding hazards. Therefore, this choice is not the correct answer in the context of hot water burn prevention.

Choice B reason:

Turning pot handles toward the back of the stove is a well-known safety measure to prevent toddlers from pulling down hot pots and pans. This reduces the risk of scalds and burns in the kitchen environment. However, the question specifically emphasizes hot water burns, which are more commonly caused by tap water and bathing accidents. Thus, while helpful, this measure does not directly address the hazard highlighted in the scenario.

Choice C reason:

Encouraging outdoor play outside peak sun hours is a measure aimed at reducing sunburn and heat exposure. Sunburn is technically a type of burn, but it is not related to hot water scalds. The question focuses on preventing injuries from household hot water sources, making this option less relevant. While beneficial for overall child safety, it does not answer the specific teaching point.

Choice D reason:

Setting the water heater to 49°C (120°F) is the most effective intervention to prevent scald injuries from hot water in toddlers. Toddlers are at high risk of burns during bathing or when exposed to hot tap water. Lowering the water heater temperature reduces the severity of burns if accidental exposure occurs. This measure directly addresses the hazard in the question, making it the correct answer.