A nurse in a provider's office is caring for an infant who has developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The nurse should include which of the following instructions when teaching the parents about the Pavlik harness?

Choice A reason: Loss of appetite is not an urgent finding, as it may be caused by various factors, such as nausea, pain, or stress. The nurse should monitor the child's fluid and calorie intake and encourage oral hydration and nutrition. However, loss of appetite does not require immediate reporting to the health care provider.

Choice B reason: Platelet count is not an urgent finding, as it is not given in the text. The nurse should check the child's laboratory results and compare them with the normal ranges for preschoolers. A normal platelet count for children is 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood¹. A low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) may indicate bleeding disorders, infections, or bone marrow problems. A high platelet count (thrombocytosis) may indicate inflammation, infection, or cancer. The nurse should report any abnormal platelet count to the health care provider, but it is not an immediate concern.

Choice C reason: Developmental regression is an urgent finding, as it may indicate a serious neurological problem, such as a brain tumor, infection, or injury. Developmental regression is the loss of previously acquired skills or milestones, such as language, motor, or social skills. The nurse should assess the child's developmental level and report any signs of regression to the health care provider as soon as possible.

Choice D reason: Absolute neutrophil count is an urgent finding, as it may indicate a severe infection or a compromised immune system. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that fight bacterial infections. The absolute neutrophil count is the number of neutrophils in a microliter of blood. A normal absolute neutrophil count for children is 1,500 to 8,000 per microliter of blood². A low absolute neutrophil count (neutropenia) may increase the risk of infection and sepsis. A high absolute neutrophil count (neutrophilia) may indicate an acute infection or inflammation. The nurse should report any abnormal absolute neutrophil count to the health care provider immediately.

Choice E reason: Hemoglobin is not an urgent finding, as it is not given in the text. The nurse should check the child's laboratory results and compare them with the normal ranges for preschoolers. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A normal hemoglobin level for children is 11.5 to 15.5 grams per deciliter of blood³. A low hemoglobin level (anemia) may indicate blood loss, iron deficiency, or bone marrow problems. A high hemoglobin level (polycythemia) may indicate dehydration, lung disease, or heart disease. The nurse should report any abnormal hemoglobin level to the health care provider, but it is not an immediate concern.

Choice A reason: Acetaminophen suppository is not a likely prescription, as it is used to reduce fever and pain, which are not the main problems of the toddler. The toddler has a high axillary temperature of 39.5°C (103.1°F), which is not considered a fever in children under 2 years old. The normal axillary temperature range for children is 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F).

Choice B reason: Oral rehydration solution is not a probable prescription, as it is used to prevent or treat dehydration caused by diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating, which are not the main problems of the toddler. The toddler has a normal respiratory rate of 22/min and oxygen saturation of 98%, which indicate adequate hydration and oxygenation.

Choice C reason: Nebulized albuterol is a possible prescription, as it is used to treat bronchospasm, which is a common complication of respiratory infections in children. The toddler has a high apical heart rate of 142/min, which may indicate respiratory distress or hypoxia. The toddler is also pulling at his ear, which may indicate an ear infection or pain.

Choice D reason: Intravenous antibiotics are not a likely prescription, as they are used to treat bacterial infections, which are not the main problems of the toddler. The toddler has no signs or symptoms of a bacterial infection, such as purulent discharge, foul odor, or localized inflammation. The toddler may have a viral infection, which does not respond to antibiotics.