A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a child about home care following a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

A. "You should give your child aspirin if they report pain at the site."

This statement is incorrect. Aspirin is a blood-thinning medication that can increase the risk of bleeding, which is particularly concerning after a cardiac catheterization procedure. It is not recommended to administer aspirin unless specifically instructed by the healthcare provider.

B. "You can remove the pressure dressing 8 hours after the procedure."

This statement is incorrect. The pressure dressing applied after a cardiac catheterization procedure is typically left in place for a specific period of time, as determined by the healthcare provider. The dressing helps prevent bleeding at the insertion site. It is essential to follow the healthcare provider's instructions regarding the timing of dressing removal.

C. "Your child can soak in the bathtub 24 hours after the procedure."

This statement is incorrect. Immersing the insertion site in water, such as soaking in a bathtub, should be avoided for a certain period after a cardiac catheterization procedure to reduce the risk of infection. The healthcare provider will provide specific instructions on when it is safe for the child to bathe or shower.

D. "Your child should avoid strenuous physical activities for several days."

This statement is correct. After a cardiac catheterization procedure, it is typically recommended to avoid strenuous physical activities for a specified period to allow the insertion site to heal properly and reduce the risk of complications such as bleeding or hematoma formation.

A. FACES: The FACES pain scale is a visual analog scale commonly used with older children who can point to or select a facial expression that best represents their pain level. It may not be suitable for infants who may not have the cognitive or motor skills to use the scale effectively.

B. COMFORT: The COMFORT scale assesses pain in infants and young children based on behaviors such as crying, facial expressions, and body movements. It evaluates parameters such as alertness, calmness, respiratory response, physical movement, and muscle tone. The COMFORT scale is suitable for assessing pain in infants and young children, including those who are postoperative.

C. CRIES: The CRIES scale is a neonatal pain assessment tool that evaluates crying, oxygen saturation, vital signs, expression, and sleeplessness. While it is designed for newborns and infants up to 6 months of age, it may not be as appropriate for a 12-month-old infant who is postoperative and beyond the neonatal period.

D. FLACC: The FLACC scale assesses pain in infants and young children based on five behavioral categories: facial expression, leg movement, activity level, cry, and consolability. It is commonly used in pediatric settings and is suitable for assessing pain in infants who are postoperative.