A nurse is admitting an unidentified female infant who was brought to the emergency department. Based on the assessment findings, the nurse should estimate the infant's age to be which of the following? (Click on the "Exhibit" button below for additional client information. There are three tabs that contain separate categories of data)

A. Case manager: A case manager coordinates care for clients with chronic conditions or complex health needs. For a newborn with an atrial septal defect, the case manager can arrange follow-up appointments, provide education to the family about monitoring for symptoms, and ensure access to cardiology services. This referral supports continuity of care and helps prevent complications.

B. Physical therapist: Physical therapy focuses on improving mobility, strength, and motor function. While important for certain conditions, a newborn with an atrial septal defect typically does not require routine physical therapy unless there are additional developmental or musculoskeletal concerns. It is not the primary referral for cardiac follow-up.

C. Occupational therapist: Occupational therapy helps clients develop fine motor skills and perform daily activities. For a newborn with a heart defect, OT is usually not indicated unless developmental delays or feeding difficulties are present. Cardiac management and follow-up are more urgent concerns at discharge.

D. Nurse manager: The nurse manager oversees nursing staff and unit operations rather than providing direct patient follow-up or discharge planning. Referral to the nurse manager does not address the newborn’s ongoing care needs after discharge and is not part of standard interprofessional follow-up for an atrial septal defect.

A. Serum albumin: Albumin levels reflect nutritional status and liver function, not the effectiveness of allopurinol. Monitoring albumin is not relevant for assessing the drug’s impact on uric acid.

B. Magnesium level: Magnesium levels are not affected by allopurinol and do not indicate therapeutic effectiveness. Routine monitoring of magnesium is not necessary for clients taking this medication.

C. Serum chloride: Chloride is an electrolyte involved in acid-base balance and does not reflect allopurinol efficacy. Changes in chloride levels are unrelated to uric acid management.

D. Uric acid level: Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that reduces uric acid production. Monitoring serum uric acid levels allows the nurse to determine whether the medication effectively lowers uric acid and helps prevent gout flares or uric acid nephropathy.