A charge nurse is assisting a newly licensed nurse with the preoperative assessment of a 2-year-old child who has a Wilms' tumor. Which of the following actions by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the needed care?

A. "Schedule a time for your child to receive the pneumococcal vaccine within 2 weeks."

This statement is incorrect. Pharyngitis caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) is typically treated with antibiotics, but it does not necessitate pneumococcal vaccination. Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for other purposes, such as preventing pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease.

B. "Provide your child with their own towel for drying their face and hands at home."

This statement is correct. Group A streptococci (GAS) can be transmitted through respiratory droplets or by direct contact with infected secretions. Providing the child with their own towel can help prevent the spread of the infection to other family members.

C. "Replace your child's toothbrush 24 hours after beginning antibiotic therapy."

This statement is correct. It is recommended to replace the child's toothbrush after starting antibiotic therapy to reduce the risk of re-infection with group A streptococci (GAS).

D. "Your child can return to school 24 hours after their first dose of antibiotics."

This statement is correct. After initiating antibiotic therapy for GABHS pharyngitis, the child is usually considered non-contagious and can return to school after completing 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.

E. "Replace your child's orthodontic appliances prior to beginning antibiotic therapy."

This statement is incorrect. There is no specific recommendation to replace orthodontic appliances before starting antibiotic therapy for GABHS pharyngitis unless otherwise advised by a dentist or healthcare provider.

A. "What is your pain level right now?": This response doesn't directly address the child's question about mortality and may deflect the conversation away from the child's concerns. While assessing pain is important, it should not be the immediate response to a question about mortality.

B. "Your doctor will be able to answer your questions tomorrow.": This response delays addressing the child's concerns and may leave the child feeling anxious or unsupported in the meantime. It's important for the nurse to provide immediate support and reassurance when a child expresses fears or worries.

C. "It sounds like you are worried. Tell me what you have been told.": This response acknowledges the child's emotions and invites them to share their thoughts and concerns. It opens up a dialogue between the nurse and the child, allowing the nurse to provide appropriate support and information based on the child's understanding and perspective.

D. "It's natural to worry about death, but you should focus your energy on getting better.": While this response acknowledges the child's worry, it may come across as dismissive or minimizing of the child's concerns about mortality. It's important to validate the child's emotions and offer support rather than redirecting their focus away from their worries.