A nurse is admitting a child who has leukemia and a critically low platelet count. Which of the following precautions should the nurse initiate?

A. Alertness as such weight loss is not expected: This response may unnecessarily alarm the mother when, in fact, some weight loss in the early days is normal.

B. Reassurance as this is a normal weight loss.

It is normal for newborns to lose some weight during the first few days of life. The loss is often related to fluid loss, changes in feeding patterns, and initial adjustment to life outside the womb. A loss of one-half pound in a 2-day-old neonate is generally considered within the normal range. It's important for the nurse to reassure the new mother that this weight loss is expected and not a cause for alarm. Newborns typically start to regain their birth weight within a week or two. This reassurance can help ease the mother's distress and anxiety.

C. Alarm as this is a drastic weight loss: Characterizing this weight loss as "drastic" is not accurate or helpful and would likely increase the mother's anxiety.

D. Concern as this may be an indicator of inadequate nutrition: Jumping to the conclusion of inadequate nutrition without further assessment and evidence is premature and may unnecessarily worry the mother. It's important to start with reassurance and then investigate if there are concerns about nutrition.

A white glow of the pupil, often referred to as "cat's eye reflex" or "leukocoria," is a significant and characteristic sign of retinoblastoma. It occurs when the tumor within the eye reflects light, resulting in a white or yellowish glow in the pupil when light is shined into it. This can be seen in flash photographs or in certain lighting conditions. It's a crucial sign that may indicate the presence of retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer that primarily affects young children.

The other options, B (ptosis of the eye), C (fixed and dilated pupil), and D (purulent eye discharge), are not typically associated with retinoblastoma. Ptosis is the drooping of the upper eyelid, a fixed and dilated pupil is usually a sign of neurological issues, and purulent eye discharge is often associated with eye infections rather than retinoblastoma.