The nurse observes an 18-month-old toddler keeping a bottle of milk in the mouth throughout the history-taking and assessment process during a well-child visit.

The mother confirms that the child has a bottle available most of the day and remarks that it makes a great pacifier.

Which response should the nurse provide?

Choice A rationale:

4012 mg/day is not the correct answer. To calculate the maximum safe dosage of valproic acid, you need to convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms. The client's weight in kilograms can be calculated by dividing the weight in pounds by 2.2. Therefore, 176 pounds divided by 2.2 equals 80 kilograms. The maximum safe dosage is 60 mg/kg/day, so 60 mg multiplied by 80 kg equals 4800 mg/day.

Choice B rationale:

Step 1: Convert the client’s weight from pounds to kilograms. We know that 1 kg is approximately equal to 2.2 pounds. So, we have:

176 pounds ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg (approximately)

Step 2: Calculate the maximum safe dosage for the client. We know that the maximum safe dosage of valproic acid is 60 mg/kg/day. So, we have:

60 mg/kg/day × 80 kg = 4800 mg/day

So, the maximum safe dosage for a client who weighs 176 pounds is4800 mg/day.

Choice C rationale:

3520 mg/day is not the correct answer. It does not accurately calculate the maximum safe dosage based on the client's weight.

Choice D rationale:

6171 mg/day is not the correct answer. It is significantly higher than the correct calculation and would exceed the maximum safe dosage for the client's weight.

The observation(s) by the nurse that require immediate intervention to reduce the likelihood of harm to this client are:

A. The client’s oxygen saturation level is 85%. This is a sign of hypoxemia, which can lead to tissue hypoxia, organ damage, and cardiac arrest. The nurse should administer oxygen therapy and monitor the client’s respiratory status closely.

C. The client’s heart rate is 110 beats per minute. This is a sign of tachycardia, which can indicate worsening heart failure, dehydration, infection, or anxiety. The nurse should assess the client’s fluid balance, vital signs, and symptoms and report any changes to the physician. The nurse should also administer medications as prescribed to control the heart rate and reduce the cardiac workload.

E. The client’s blood pressure is 160/90 mmHg. This is a sign of hypertension, which can increase the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and renal failure. The nurse should administer antihypertensive medications as prescribed and monitor the client’s blood pressure and urine output. The nurse should also educate the client on lifestyle modifications to lower blood pressure, such as reducing salt intake, exercising, and managing stress .

The other observations do not require immediate intervention, but they should be addressed as part of the comprehensive nursing care plan for the client with heart failure and COPD. These include:

B. The client is eating less than half of meals. This can indicate poor appetite, nausea, dyspnea, or fatigue, which can affect the client’s nutritional status and energy level. The nurse should encourage the client to eat small, frequent, and balanced meals that are low in sodium, fat, and cholesterol. The nurse should also provide oral hygiene and offer supplements or enteral feeding if needed .

D. The client is reading a book. This can indicate that the client is coping well with the condition and engaging in leisure activities that promote relaxation and mental health. The nurse should praise the client for this positive behavior and provide emotional support and counseling as needed. The nurse should also teach the client about the signs and symptoms of exacerbation and when to seek medical help .