A nurse in a pediatric clinic is talking with a parent of a toddler. The parent tells the nurse that her toddler drinks a quart of milk a day. The nurse should recognize that the toddler is at risk for which of the following disorders?

A. Gently reinsert the tubes. Tympanostomy tubes should not be reinserted by the parent. Inserting the tubes requires medical expertise and should be performed by a healthcare professional to avoid damaging the ear.

B. Call the health care clinic to report that the tubes have fallen out. This is the correct action. The healthcare provider needs to be informed to assess if new tubes are necessary. Tubes may naturally fall out as part of the healing process, but professional evaluation is essential to determine the next steps.

C. Reassure the mother that the tubes will not fall out. It is incorrect to reassure the parent that the tubes will not fall out. Tubes can fall out naturally as the eardrum heals, and parents should be prepared for this possibility and know the appropriate steps to take.

D. Take the child to an emergency department. This is generally not necessary unless there are signs of complications such as severe pain, infection, or significant hearing loss. Routine follow-up at the clinic is sufficient for a non-emergency situation like a tube falling out.

A. Maintain night splints to the affected joint: Night splints help maintain joint position and function during sleep, preventing contractures and deformities. This is a common intervention in managing juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to ensure proper joint alignment and minimize pain and stiffness.

B. Encourage the child to take daytime naps: Daytime naps can lead to prolonged periods of immobility, which may increase stiffness and pain in joints. Maintaining regular activity and exercise is usually recommended to preserve joint function.

C. Administer opioids on a schedule: Opioids are not typically first-line treatment for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis due to potential side effects and risk of dependence. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are more commonly used.

D. Apply cool compresses for 20 min every hour: Cool compresses may provide temporary relief for acute joint pain but are not recommended on a regular schedule due to risk of skin damage and reduced joint flexibility. Heat application is more commonly used for chronic pain relief in arthritis.