The nurse is conducting teaching with the caregivers of a child who is being discharged from the pediatric unit. The care provider has recommended the child have moist heat applications at home. In conducting teaching with this caregiver, the nurse will teach the caregiver to use which of the following to provide the moist heat?

Choice A reason: Perianal itching is the hallmark symptom of enterobiasis, caused by pinworms laying eggs at night, irritating the skin. This aligns with pediatric infectious disease evidence, making it the most likely history in a child admitted with pinworm infection, accurately reflecting the condition’s presentation.

Choice B reason: Malnutrition is not typically associated with pinworms, which cause localized irritation rather than systemic nutrient loss. Perianal itching is the primary symptom, making this incorrect, as it does not reflect the usual clinical history of a child with enterobiasis in a hospital setting.

Choice C reason: Bedwetting is unrelated to pinworm infection, which primarily causes perianal itching due to nocturnal egg-laying. Itching is the expected history, making this incorrect, as bedwetting does not correlate with the typical presentation of enterobiasis in a young admitted child.

Choice D reason: Restlessness may occur due to itching but is less specific than perianal itching, the defining symptom of pinworms. Itching directly ties to the diagnosis, making this less precise and incorrect compared to the primary history expected in a child with enterobiasis infection.

Choice A reason: Holding the buttocks together for 1-2 minutes after suppository insertion prevents expulsion, ensuring the medication is absorbed in a 3-month-old. This aligns with pediatric medication administration protocols, making it the correct intervention to assure effective delivery of the rectal suppository in this infant.

Choice B reason: Pre-warming the suppository is not standard, as it may soften excessively, complicating insertion. Holding the buttocks ensures retention, directly impacting absorption, making this less effective and incorrect compared to the critical step of preventing expulsion in a 3-month-old during suppository administration.

Choice C reason: Using the index finger is inappropriate for an infant, as the pinky finger is safer for their small rectum. Holding the buttocks ensures medication retention, making this unsafe and incorrect compared to the prioritized intervention for effective suppository administration in a 3-month-old child.

Choice D reason: Placing the child on the abdomen may aid positioning but does not ensure suppository retention like holding the buttocks. Retention is critical for absorption, making this less essential and incorrect compared to the direct intervention of securing the suppository in place post-insertion for the infant.