A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the guardian of a newborn about measures that can be taken to minimize the risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Rationale:

• Temperature: An elevated temperature of 39.3° C is consistent with an active infection like pneumonia. This finding supports the need for antibiotic treatment and does not delay administration unless linked to an adverse drug reaction.

• WBC count: A WBC count of 16,000/mm³ indicates leukocytosis, which is expected in bacterial pneumonia. It confirms infection and the need for antibiotics, not a reason to withhold cefazolin.

• Allergies: The client has a documented allergy to penicillin, which is critical because cefazolin is a cephalosporin. Cephalosporins share a similar beta-lactam structure and can cross-react in clients with penicillin allergies, increasing the risk of anaphylaxis. Reporting this ensures safe prescribing and prevents a life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction.

• Chest x-ray: The left lower lobe density confirms pneumonia. This imaging supports the clinical decision to administer antibiotics and does not warrant withholding the prescribed medication.

Rationale:

A. Respiratory acidosis: Chronic diarrhea typically causes metabolic acidosis due to loss of bicarbonate in the stool, not respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis results from hypoventilation and CO₂ retention, unrelated to diarrhea.

B. Hypertension: Chronic diarrhea often leads to fluid and electrolyte imbalances causing hypotension or low blood pressure due to dehydration, rather than hypertension.

C. Hypokalemia: Diarrhea causes significant potassium loss through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to hypokalemia. Low potassium levels can result in muscle weakness, cramps, and cardiac arrhythmias.

D. Hypermagnesemia: Magnesium is usually lost during diarrhea, which more commonly leads to hypomagnesemia rather than elevated magnesium levels. Hypermagnesemia is rare unless there is excessive intake or renal failure.