A nurse is caring for a 2-month-old infant. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Fontanel finding: The sunken fontanel indicates signs of dehydration, which is the primary concern for this infant. Dehydration can lead to severe complications and should be addressed first through appropriate fluid resuscitation (IV fluids) to prevent further deterioration.
• Temperature: The infant has a fever of 38.4°C (101.1°F), which needs to be managed with acetaminophen as prescribed. While dehydration is the priority, the temperature should also be controlled to prevent worsening of the infant's condition and to make the child more comfortable.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

• Diaper area: While the excoriated diaper area is concerning, it is not the most urgent issue compared to dehydration, which can quickly worsen. Dehydration and fever management should be prioritized before addressing skin irritation.
• Stool culture results: The positive stool culture for Shigella is important for determining the infection, but addressing the infant's hydration status and fever is more urgent to stabilize the child. The results will guide further treatment but do not need immediate intervention over dehydration.
• Appetite history: While the infant's poor feeding history is significant, addressing dehydration and fever management should take precedence to stabilize the infant before evaluating feeding patterns in more detail.
• Activity tolerance finding: The infant’s fatigue is likely due to dehydration and fever. Stabilizing hydration and controlling the fever will improve the infant’s activity tolerance, making this secondary to the more urgent issues.

A. "You should chill your medication before administration." Insulin should not be chilled before administration. It should be stored in a cool place, but administering insulin directly from the refrigerator can cause discomfort.

B. "You should rotate sites when administering the medication." Rotating injection sites helps prevent tissue damage and the formation of lumps or scar tissue. It is recommended to rotate sites within the same area (e.g., abdomen, thigh, etc.) to ensure absorption and prevent complications.

C. "You should administer your medication at a 45-degree angle." Insulin should generally be administered at a 90-degree angle for subcutaneous injection, not a 45-degree angle. A 45-degree angle may be appropriate.

D. "You should administer your insulin into a muscle." Insulin should be administered subcutaneously (into the fat layer just under the skin), not into the muscle. Injecting insulin into a muscle can alter its absorption rate and may cause irritation or pain.