A nurse on a pediatric unit is caring for a toddler who has poor dietary intake. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A) "You owe it to your mother to take care of her now that she needs you.":
This response is not supportive and places unnecessary guilt on the son. Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease is demanding, and expecting the son to provide care without considering his own needs is unrealistic. Guilt-tripping him may lead to burnout, as it does not acknowledge the emotional and physical strain of caregiving.
B) "You should think about placing your mother in a long-term care facility.":
While this may be a viable option for some families, this statement does not acknowledge the son’s emotional struggle or immediate need for support. Suggesting a long-term care facility may be premature without exploring other options and may cause the son to feel as though he is being pushed into a decision he is not ready to make.

C) "Let me give you some information about respite care for your mother.":
This is the most appropriate response. Respite care provides temporary relief for family caregivers, allowing them time to rest and recharge. It is a supportive approach that acknowledges the son’s exhaustion and provides him with a helpful resource. Respite care can alleviate caregiver burnout and help maintain the quality of care for the client.

D) "I think you should find other family members who could help your mother.":
While involving other family members can be helpful, this response does not provide immediate support or acknowledge the son’s current feelings of exhaustion. Suggesting that he simply find other family members may come across as dismissive of his current emotional state and may not offer the practical help he needs at this moment.

D. Facial nerve assessment: The development of left facial droop and asymmetry postoperatively suggests potential facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) injury during the stapedectomy. This requires immediate evaluation to determine if it is temporary due to surgical manipulation or a sign of nerve damage.
E. Vertigo: Postoperative vertigo and nausea are common but should be monitored closely because stapedectomy involves inner ear structures responsible for balance. Persistent or worsening vertigo may indicate inner ear trauma or perilymphatic fistula, requiring further assessment.

Incorrect:
A. Pain rating: Pain is expected after surgery and can be managed with prescribed analgesics.
B. Lung assessment: Bilateral clear breath sounds do not indicate respiratory distress or complications.
C. Pupils: The slight decrease in pupil size (3.5 mm to 3 mm) is not clinically significant and remains within normal limits.
F. Diminished hearing: Hearing loss is expected post-stapedectomy due to packing in the ear and middle ear healing. Improvement typically occurs over weeks.