The parents of a child, who has had multiple respiratory infections since birth tells the nurse, "when we kiss our child, all we can taste is salt". It would be appropriate for the nurse to suggest to the primary health-care provider that the child be assess for which of the following illnesses?

A. Provide a coloring book so they can color within the lines.

Coloring within the lines is a fine motor skill that is not typically developed at 12 months. Fine motor activities like coloring may become more suitable as the child grows, but at this age, the emphasis is generally on gross motor skills.

B. Provide a stick horse to develop gross motor coordination.

While a stick horse may be a fun toy, it may not be the most appropriate choice for a 12-month-old who is still working on basic motor skills. Gross motor coordination can be better encouraged with toys that support standing, walking, and pushing.

C. Place a cradle gym across the crib to facilitate fine motor skills.

A cradle gym can be appropriate for visual and sensory stimulation, but it is more related to visual tracking and reaching than fine motor skills. Fine motor skills typically involve more intricate hand movements, which may not be fully developed at 12 months.

D. Give large push-pull toys for kinesthetic stimulation.

For a 12-month-old child, appropriate play activities should focus on promoting gross motor skills, coordination, and exploration. Giving large push-pull toys encourages the development of kinesthetic skills, allowing the child to practice standing, walking, and moving. It also supports the development of coordination and balance.

A. Hyperactivity of sweat glands:

In cystic fibrosis (CF), there is an abnormality in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, leading to increased salt concentration in sweat. However, this is not the primary factor responsible for the diverse clinical manifestations in CF. The primary issue lies in the abnormal production of thick and sticky mucus affecting various organs.

B. Mechanical obstruction caused by increased viscosity of mucous gland secretion:

This is the correct choice. CF is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus due to abnormal CFTR protein function. This increased viscosity leads to mechanical obstruction in organs such as the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems, causing a range of clinical manifestations.

C. Hypoactivity of the autonomic nervous system:

CF is not characterized by hypoactivity of the autonomic nervous system. The primary issue lies in the mechanical obstruction caused by the abnormal mucus production.

D. Atrophic changes in the mucosal wall of the intestines:

Atrophic changes in the mucosal wall of the intestines are not the primary factor responsible for the clinical manifestations of CF. The key problem is the mechanical obstruction due to increased viscosity of mucous gland secretions.