A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is admitted to the medical surgical unit.

Complete the following sentences by using the list of options:

The nurse anticipates the client will likely require

______

as evidenced by the client’s

_______

and

______

.

A) The child is unable to skate with good balance.
At 4 years old, a child’s balance and coordination are still developing. While skating requires more advanced skills, a child not having good balance at this age is not typically a concern unless other motor skills are delayed. Skating is not an expected milestone for a 4-year-old.

B) The child is unable to jump rope.
Jumping rope is a more complex skill that typically develops later, closer to ages 5 or 6, so the inability to do so at age 4 is not a cause for concern. It is a skill that requires fine motor coordination, balance, and timing, which may not be fully developed at this age.

C) The child is unable to walk downstairs on alternating feet.
At 4 years old, children are expected to be able to walk downstairs using alternating feet (one foot on each step). If a child cannot perform this task, it may indicate a delay in gross motor development, specifically in coordination and balance. This is a developmental milestone that typically emerges by age 4 and should be reported to the physical therapist for further evaluation.

D) The child is unable to walk backwards from heel to toe.
Walking backwards from heel to toe is a more advanced skill that typically develops later in childhood. This skill is not expected at age 4, so the child’s inability to do so is not a red flag for developmental concerns. It is more appropriate for older children.

A) Administer granulocyte colony stimulating factor: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used to stimulate white blood cell production in certain conditions like neutropenia. However, in an infant with HIV, the primary concern is the HIV progression and monitoring for complications rather than administering G-CSF. It is not routinely used for infants with HIV unless there is a specific indication such as neutropenia.

B) Monitor the infant's lymphocyte count: Monitoring the infant’s lymphocyte count is an appropriate and essential intervention. HIV affects the immune system by targeting CD4+ T lymphocytes, so tracking the lymphocyte count will help gauge the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment. It is vital to assess the infant’s immune status, as HIV can lead to a weakened immune system and increase susceptibility to infections.

C) Initiate droplet precautions: Droplet precautions are typically required for infections like influenza or certain respiratory illnesses. HIV is not transmitted via droplets; it is primarily transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. Therefore, droplet precautions are not necessary for this infant.

D) Educate the infant's guardians about exchange transfusions: Exchange transfusions are generally not a routine intervention for infants with HIV unless there is a specific complication like severe hyperbilirubinemia or other hematologic conditions. The focus for infants with HIV is on managing antiretroviral therapy (ART) and preventing infections, rather than performing exchange transfusions. Educating the guardians about ART and infection prevention would be more appropriate.