A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to a preschool-age child.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale

Children with spina bifida often are allergic to latex, which can be found in medical gloves and things such as bandages, balloons, and pacifiers. Therefore, latex precautions should be taken while caring for a child with spina bifida.

Choice B rationale

Neutropenic precautions are typically used for patients with a low white blood cell count (neutropenia), which makes them more susceptible to infections. There is no specific association between spina bifida and neutropenia, so these precautions would not typically be necessary unless the child has a co-existing condition that causes neutropenia.

Choice C rationale

Seizure precautions are typically used for patients with a seizure disorder, such as epilepsy. While some individuals with spina bifida may also have a seizure disorder, it is not a common feature of the condition. Therefore, seizure precautions would not typically be necessary unless the child has a co-existing seizure disorder.

Choice D rationale

Contact precautions are typically used for patients who have an infection that can be spread by direct contact. There is no specific association between spina bifida and infectious diseases that would require contact precautions, so these precautions would not typically be necessary unless the child has a co-existing infectious disease.

Choice A rationale

Hypertension is not typically associated with spina bifida. While it can occur in any individual based on a variety of factors such as diet, lifestyle, and genetics, it is not a direct complication of spina bifida.

Choice B rationale

Urinary tract infections are a common complication in individuals with spina bifida. This is because many people with this condition often cannot control their bladder and bowel movements, which can lead to infections. The nerves that control the bladder and bowel are often damaged in spina bifida, leading to issues with these functions and increasing the risk of urinary tract infections.

Choice C rationale

Hearing loss is not typically a complication of spina bifida. While hearing loss can occur due to a variety of reasons such as age, exposure to loud noises, and certain illnesses, it is not directly related to spina bifida.

Choice D rationale

Type 1 diabetes is not a known complication of spina bifida. Diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels and is not directly related to the neurological and physical issues caused by spina bifida.