The nurse is providing discharge instructions to the caregiver of an infant with recurrent otitis media. Which statement made by the caregiver should the nurse recognize as needing additional education about minimizing subsequent infections?

Choice A reason: Obtaining the child's 3-day diet history based on the mother's input is a useful intervention to assess the child's nutritional intake and identify any unhealthy eating habits or patterns. The nurse can use the diet history to provide individualized and evidence-based dietary advice and counseling to the mother and the child, such as reducing the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables, and limiting the portion sizes.

Choice B reason: Explaining that the child is likely to grow into her weight is not a helpful intervention and may be misleading or harmful. It may give the mother and the child a false sense of reassurance and discourage them from making any lifestyle changes. It may also ignore the potential health risks and psychosocial consequences of childhood obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension, low self-esteem, and bullying.

Choice C reason: Telling the mother that girls hit their growth spurt before boys so eating more is expected is not a valid intervention and may be inaccurate or inappropriate. It may imply that the child's obesity is normal or inevitable, which is not true. It may also overlook the fact that the child's weight and height are disproportionate and do not match the growth charts for her age and gender.

Choice D reason: Inquiring as to whether or not the school has a physical education program is not a sufficient intervention and may be irrelevant or ineffective. It may not address the child's specific physical activity needs and preferences, or the barriers and facilitators to physical activity in the home and community settings. It may also shift the responsibility and accountability from the mother and the child to the school.

Choice E reason: Determining the child's usual physical activity pattern is a beneficial intervention to evaluate the child's energy expenditure and identify any sedentary behaviors or activities. The nurse can use the physical activity pattern to provide individualized and evidence-based physical activity recommendations and guidance to the mother and the child, such as increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of moderate to vigorous physical activity, reducing the screen time, and engaging in fun and enjoyable physical activities..

Choice A reason: Instilling benzocaine otic drops regularly is not a recommended practice for preventing or treating otitis media. Benzocaine is a topical anesthetic that can temporarily relieve ear pain, but it does not address the underlying cause of the infection. Moreover, benzocaine can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, or methemoglobinemia, a condition that reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. The nurse should instruct the caregiver to avoid using benzocaine otic drops unless prescribed by a health care provider.

Choice B reason: Avoiding any smoking inside the house is a good practice for preventing otitis media. Smoking can irritate the respiratory tract and impair the function of the cilia, the hair-like structures that help clear mucus and bacteria from the middle ear. Smoking can also increase the risk of respiratory infections, allergies, and asthma, which are associated with otitis media. The nurse should praise the caregiver for avoiding smoking and encourage them to maintain a smoke-free environment for the infant.

Choice C reason: Giving the infant the full course of antibiotics is a necessary practice for treating otitis media. Antibiotics can help eliminate the bacteria that cause the infection and reduce the inflammation and pain in the middle ear. However, antibiotics should be used only when prescribed by a health care provider, and the caregiver should follow the instructions carefully. The nurse should remind the caregiver to give the infant the exact dose of antibiotics at the right time and for the entire duration of the treatment, even if the symptoms improve.

Choice D reason: Scheduling a visit for pneumococcal vaccine is a preventive measure for otitis media. Pneumococcal vaccine can protect the infant from the most common strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes otitis media and other serious infections. The vaccine is recommended for all children under 2 years of age, and it is given in four doses at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age. The nurse should verify the infant's immunization status and advise the caregiver to follow the recommended schedule for the pneumococcal vaccine.