A 3-week-old patient is hospitalized for surgical repair of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. On the third postoperative day, the mother expresses concern that her infant vomited approximately one-fourth of his feeding. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate at this time?

Choice A rationale:

Returning to the hospital if the child spits up blood is a correct response as it indicates the recognition of potential postoperative bleeding.

Choice B rationale:

Giving the child cherry gelatin, even though it's the child's favorite, might not be appropriate after a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy, as certain foods can irritate the healing throat.

Choice C rationale:

Returning to the hospital if the child develops difficulty breathing is a necessary step to address any respiratory distress.

Choice D rationale:

Having the child rinse her mouth frequently with water to prevent a bad breath odor is a suitable suggestion to maintain oral hygiene and comfort after surgery. In all three scenarios, the rationale for the correct answers revolves around patient safety, comfort, and appropriate post-operative care. The incorrect choices in each question either introduce potential complications, misunderstandings, or actions that might compromise the patient's well-being.

Choice A rationale:

Ketonuria is the presence of ketones in urine and is not directly associated with vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia. This crisis typically involves pain and ischemia in various body parts.

Choice B rationale:

Diplopia refers to double vision and is not a typical symptom of vaso-occlusive crisis. Pain, not vision changes, is the primary concern in this scenario.

Choice C rationale:

Severe abdominal pain can be a symptom of vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia, but the patient's complaint of left elbow pain would not directly correlate with this choice.

Choice D rationale:

Hyperactive patellar reflex is the correct answer. During vaso-occlusive crisis, the body's response to pain can lead to increased muscle tone and reflexes, including hyperactive deep tendon reflexes like the patellar reflex. This is an indicator of neurologic involvement in the crisis. Remember that these rationales are intended to provide a concise understanding of the correct answers based on the information provided in the questions. Always refer to medical literature and consult with healthcare professionals for comprehensive and accurate information.