Exophthalmos may occur in children with what diagnosis?

The correct answer is choice C. After taking antibiotics for 24 hours.

Choice A rationale:

Returning to school if no complications develop is not a sufficient guideline for allowing a child with streptococcal pharyngitis to return to school. Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat) is highly contagious, and children should be treated with antibiotics to prevent the spread of the infection.

Choice B rationale:

Waiting until the sore throat is better is not a specific enough criterion for returning to school. While the resolution of symptoms is an important factor, it's crucial to ensure that the child has also been on antibiotics for an appropriate duration to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Choice C rationale:

The recommended guideline is to return to school after taking antibiotics for 24 hours. This timeframe helps ensure that the child's contagiousness is significantly reduced, minimizing the risk of transmitting the infection to classmates and school staff.

Choice D rationale:

Waiting for three days after taking antibiotics is not as precise as waiting for 24 hours. With proper antibiotic treatment, the child's contagiousness decreases rapidly, and waiting for three days might be unnecessary and could potentially result in more missed school days than needed.

The correct answer is choice A: Administer pancreatic enzymes between meals if at all possible.

Choice A rationale:

Administer pancreatic enzymes between meals if at all possible. This is the correct choice. When educating the parents and child with cystic fibrosis about the administration of pancreatic enzymes, it's important to emphasize that these enzymes should be given between meals whenever feasible. Administering them between meals, when the stomach is less acidic and less likely to release the enzymes prematurely, ensures optimal digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. This approach aligns with the physiological need to supplement pancreatic enzyme function due to the inadequate natural enzyme production in cystic fibrosis.

Choice B rationale:

Pancreatic enzymes can be swallowed whole or sprinkled on a small amount of food taken at the beginning of a meal. This choice is a valid option for administering pancreatic enzymes. While it's true that the enzymes can be taken either by swallowing the capsules whole or by opening them and sprinkling the contents on a small amount of food at the start of a meal, this method can vary based on individual preferences and abilities. However, the primary focus should be on timing (between meals) to achieve the best enzymatic action.

Choice C rationale:

Do not administer pancreatic enzymes if the child is receiving antibiotics. This statement is not accurate. There is no general contraindication to administering pancreatic enzymes while a child is on antibiotics. However, it's important for the healthcare provider to be aware of all the medications the child is taking to ensure there are no potential drug interactions or effects on absorption. Always consult with the healthcare team before adjusting the administration of any medication.

Choice D rationale:

Decrease the dose of pancreatic enzymes if the child is having frequent, bulky stools. This statement is not consistent with typical practice. If a child is experiencing frequent, bulky stools, it may actually indicate that the pancreatic enzyme dosage needs adjustment (increasing the dose rather than decreasing). Bulky stools can suggest poor digestion and absorption, which might require more enzymes to properly break down nutrients. Dosage adjustments should always be made under the guidance of the healthcare provider based on factors such as stool consistency, weight gain, and nutritional status.