A nurse in a pediatric clinic is caring for a child who has iron deficiency anemia and a new prescription for ferrous sulfate tablets. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide the parents regarding administration of this medication?

A. "It is best to just ignore this and to not respond to his questions.": Ignoring the child's questions about the death of his grandfather may lead to feelings of confusion or abandonment. It is important to address the child's concerns and provide appropriate support and guidance.

B. "He will eventually figure this out on his own.": While children may gradually come to understand the permanence of death as they mature, it is essential to provide support and explanations to help them cope with grief and loss.

C. "You have to keep repeating that his grandfather is never coming back.": Continually

repeating that the grandfather is never coming back may be distressing for the child and does not provide constructive support or help the child understand the concept of death.

D. "This is normal; children his age do not understand the permanence of death.": This response acknowledges the child's age-appropriate understanding of death and provides reassurance to the mother that her son's reaction is typical. It opens the door for the nurse to offer guidance on how to support the child through the grieving process and gradually help him comprehend the permanence of death.

A. Substituting cow's milk if breast milk is not availablE. Cow's milk is not recommended as a substitute for breast milk or infant formula for infants under 12 months old due to its low iron content and potential for causing gastrointestinal irritation.

B. Advising fluid intake per feeding of 5 or 6 ounces: The appropriate fluid intake for a 2-week- old infant is typically guided by feeding cues and may vary from feeding to feeding. Providing a specific volume of fluid per feeding may not be appropriate, as infants should be fed on demand.

C. Advocating iron supplements with bottle-feeding: Iron supplementation is generally recommended for breastfed infants starting at around 4 months of age, but it is not typically necessary for formula-fed infants during the first few weeks of life. Additionally, iron

supplementation should be prescribed and monitored by a healthcare provider rather than advocated as a general guideline.

D. Discouraging the addition of fruit juice to the diet: This is the most effective anticipatory guidance because it aligns with current recommendations from pediatric healthcare

organizations. Fruit juice offers little nutritional value for infants and can contribute to dental caries and excessive calorie intake. It is generally recommended to avoid giving fruit juice to infants under 1 year old.