A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who has Clostridium difficile.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is Choice D.

Choice A rationale: Documenting the event in the client’s progress notes is not the most appropriate action in this situation. The client’s progress notes should contain information about the client’s health status and care, not about staff behavior. Furthermore, documenting this incident in the client’s notes could potentially violate the client’s privacy if the notes are accessed by individuals who do not need to know about the incident.

Choice B rationale: Submitting an incident report to the risk manager is not the most appropriate action in this situation. Incident reports are typically used for events that have caused or have the potential to cause harm to a client, such as medication errors or falls. In this case, while the APs’ behavior is inappropriate, it has not caused harm to the client.

Choice C rationale: Informing the client of the APs’ actions is not the most appropriate action in this situation. Doing so could unnecessarily worry or upset the client. The nurse’s role is to advocate for the client and protect their privacy and dignity, which includes not sharing information about inappropriate staff behavior with the client.

Choice D rationale: Telling the APs to stop the conversation is the most appropriate action in this situation. The nurse has a professional responsibility to address inappropriate behavior by other healthcare team members. Discussing a client in a public area, such as the nurses’ station, is a breach of client confidentiality. The nurse should remind the APs of the importance of maintaining client confidentiality and direct them to stop the conversation.

The correct answer is: a. Remove bibs when the infant is going to sleep.

Choice A reason: Removing bibs when an infant is going to sleep is a critical safety measure to prevent suffocation and strangulation risks. Infants should have a sleep environment free of any loose objects that could cover their face and interfere with breathing. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping the crib clear of items like bibs, pillows, blankets, and toys to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths.

Choice B reason: Using a highchair for feedings is not recommended for a 3-month-old infant because they typically cannot sit up unsupported at this age. Highchairs are generally used when an infant can sit up well without support and has good head control, usually around 6 months old. Until then, infants should be held or placed in an appropriate reclined feeding position.

Choice C reason: A soft crib mattress is not advisable for infants. A firm mattress is essential to provide a safe sleep surface. Soft mattresses and other soft surfaces increase the risk of SIDS and suffocation because they can create pockets that may cause an infant’s face to sink in and restrict breathing.

Choice D reason: Placing pillows in the crib, even one small pillow, is unsafe for infants. Pillows can pose a suffocation hazard and increase the risk of SIDS. The crib should be kept bare, with only a firm mattress and a fitted sheet, to ensure a safe sleep environment for the infant.