A nurse is teaching the mother of a 5-year-old child who has cystic fibrosis about pancreatic enzymes. The nurse should understand that further teaching is necessary when the mother states which of the following?

In this scenario, the infant has a heart rate of 190/min and a fever of 40°C (104°F). Fever in infants can cause an increase in heart rate, which is a normal physiological response to elevated body temperature. Fever is the body's way of responding to an infection or illness, and it triggers various physiological changes, including an increase in heart rate. This helps the body to circulate blood and deliver immune cells to fight off the infection.
The other options are not accurate or relevant to the infant's current condition:
A. "This is within the expected range for your baby." - A heart rate of 190/min is above the normal expected range for a 2-month-old infant, which is typically between 120 to 160 beats per minute. This response would not address the elevated heart rate and fever.
C. "As your baby begins to fall asleep, his heart rate will decrease." - While heart rate may decrease during sleep, it does not explain the elevated heart rate and fever observed in this situation.
D. "Your baby's heart is beating fast in an attempt to cool down his body." - While tachycardia (fast heart rate) can be associated with increased metabolic demands during fever, the main reason for the increased heart rate in this case is the fever itself, not the body's attempt to cool down. Fever is a response to infection or illness and can cause an increase in heart rate as part of the body's normal immune response.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects the production and function of certain glands, particularly those that produce mucus and sweat. One of the key aspects of CF management is addressing the pancreatic insufficiency that occurs in many individuals with CF. Due to the impairment of the pancreas, children with CF may have difficulty digesting food properly, especially fats. This can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, poor weight gain, and other nutritional deficiencies.

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is a crucial part of CF management. Pancreatic enzymes are prescribed to help the child digest and absorb essential nutrients, especially fats. The enzymes are typically given with each meal and snack to aid in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients.

The other options are not correct:

A. "We will restrict the amount of salt in our child's food."

Sodium restriction is generally not a focus in CF management unless there are specific indications for it. CF patients may have increased salt losses in sweat, but dietary sodium restriction is not a primary aspect of their care.

B. "I will limit my child's fluid intake."

Fluid intake is important for children with CF to maintain hydration and prevent dehydration. There is no specific need to limit fluid intake unless there are individualized medical reasons for doing so.

C. "I will prepare low-fat meals with limited protein for my child."

Children with CF often require a high-calorie, high-protein diet to maintain adequate nutrition and growth. Restricting fat and protein intake is not typically recommended, as these nutrients are essential for a child's development and well-being. Instead, pancreatic enzymes are used to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats and other nutrients.