What instructions must the nurse include in the post-operative discharge instruction for a 6-year-old who just had a tonsillectomy? (Select All That Apply).

Choice A rationale

Albuterol is a bronchodilator, which means it relaxes the muscles around the airways, allowing them to open up, or dilate. This makes it easier for air to get in and out of the lungs, and for mucus to be cleared out of the airways.

Choice B rationale

Albuterol does not thin the mucus. Other medications, such as hypertonic saline or dornase alfa, are used in cystic fibrosis to thin the mucus and make it easier to cough up.

Choice C rationale

By opening the airways, albuterol can help reduce wheezing, a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when airways are narrowed.

Choice D rationale

Albuterol can help relieve symptoms of asthma, such as coughing and shortness of breath, by relaxing the muscles of the airways and increasing airflow.

Choice A rationale

Dehydration in infants can be a serious medical concern if not addressed quickly. It can be caused by various factors such as vomiting or diarrhea, or if the baby is not nursing well. The most common signs of dehydration in babies include concentrated urine that looks very dark yellow or orange, constipation, dry lips, dry mouth, dry mucous membranes, excessive sleepiness, irritability, less than six wet diapers in a 24-hour period, no interest in taking a bottle or breastfeeding, no tears when crying, paleness, sunken fontanelle (soft spot) on their head, and wrinkled skin. If the nurse observes these signs and symptoms in the infant, along with the intake and output record from the previous 8 hours, the nurse might determine that the patient is dehydrated during the shift.

Choice B rationale

If the infant shows signs of improvement such as increased urine output, normal skin turgor, moist mucous membranes, and the infant is alert and active, then the nurse might determine that the patient is improving as anticipated. However, without specific details about the infant’s condition, it’s difficult to definitively say that this is the case.

Choice C rationale

Fluid volume excess, also known as fluid overload, occurs when the body has too much water and electrolytes. Symptoms can include swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, or abdomen, weight gain, high blood pressure, and shortness of breath. If the nurse observes these symptoms in the infant, along with the intake and output record from the previous 8 hours, the nurse might

determine that the patient has fluid volume excess. However, given the information provided, this does not seem to be the most likely scenario.

Choice D rationale

If the infant’s vital signs are stable, the infant is alert and active, and there are no significant changes in the infant’s condition, the nurse might determine that the patient’s condition is stable. However, without specific details about the infant’s condition, it’s difficult to definitively say that this is the case.