A nurse is teaching a child with type 1 diabetes mellitus how to self-inject insulin. Which method should she recommend to the child for regular doses?

A. Minimally invasive surgery is not the standard treatment for plagiocephaly. Surgical intervention is typically reserved for rare, severe, or syndromic cases where conservative measures fail or cranial deformities are extreme. Most infants respond well to non-surgical interventions if identified early.
B. Placing an infant on their back is critical for SIDS prevention, but strict supine positioning can contribute to positional plagiocephaly. Therefore, treatment focuses on repositioning the infant during awake periods, encouraging tummy time, and limiting prolonged supine positioning when the infant is awake and supervised, to promote symmetrical skull growth.
C. Helmet therapy, also called cranial orthosis, is considered the most effective intervention for moderate to severe plagiocephaly. The helmet works by gently guiding skull growth as the infant’s skull is still malleable, usually between 4–12 months of age. Infants typically wear the helmet for 23 hours a day, with adjustments made every few weeks by a specialist to ensure proper fit and effectiveness. This therapy is non-invasive, reduces cranial asymmetry, and avoids the need for surgery in most cases. Parents are also instructed on monitoring skin integrity, proper cleaning, and follow-up appointments to track progress.
D. Hospitalization and surgery are unnecessary for standard positional plagiocephaly. Surgical correction is extremely rare and only indicated for congenital cranial malformations or syndromes that do not respond to conservative management.

A. A positive Kernig’s sign (pain and resistance when attempting to extend the knee with the hip flexed) is a classic indicator of meningeal irritation, which, in the presence of fever, headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, and lethargy, strongly suggests meningitis. This finding requires immediate attention because bacterial meningitis can progress rapidly and become life-threatening.

B. While a petechial or purpuric rash may be seen in meningococcal meningitis, a general red raised rash is nonspecific and not the most urgent additional finding compared with a positive Kernig’s sign. Its absence does not rule out meningitis.

C. A negative Brudzinski’s sign (no involuntary hip/knee flexion when the neck is flexed) does not rule out meningitis, especially in early or mild cases. A positive Kernig’s sign is a more sensitive early indicator in this scenario.

D. A negative Babinski’s sign is normal and does not indicate neurological compromise in this context. Its presence or absence is not immediately relevant to the acute presentation of suspected meningitis.