A nurse is caring for a 4-month-old infant who is immediately postoperative following cleft palate repair. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. "Schedule a time for your child to receive the pneumococcal vaccine within 2 weeks."

This statement is incorrect. Pharyngitis caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) is typically treated with antibiotics, but it does not necessitate pneumococcal vaccination. Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for other purposes, such as preventing pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease.

B. "Provide your child with their own towel for drying their face and hands at home."

This statement is correct. Group A streptococci (GAS) can be transmitted through respiratory droplets or by direct contact with infected secretions. Providing the child with their own towel can help prevent the spread of the infection to other family members.

C. "Replace your child's toothbrush 24 hours after beginning antibiotic therapy."

This statement is correct. It is recommended to replace the child's toothbrush after starting antibiotic therapy to reduce the risk of re-infection with group A streptococci (GAS).

D. "Your child can return to school 24 hours after their first dose of antibiotics."

This statement is correct. After initiating antibiotic therapy for GABHS pharyngitis, the child is usually considered non-contagious and can return to school after completing 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.

E. "Replace your child's orthodontic appliances prior to beginning antibiotic therapy."

This statement is incorrect. There is no specific recommendation to replace orthodontic appliances before starting antibiotic therapy for GABHS pharyngitis unless otherwise advised by a dentist or healthcare provider.

A. "Gently put the tubes back into the child's ears": This is not the correct response. Tympanoplasty tubes are not meant to be reinserted if they fall out. Attempting to reinsert them without proper medical training could cause injury or damage to the child's ears. Therefore, this response should be avoided.

B. "Bring the child to the emergency department immediately": While it's important for the parent to seek medical attention if the tubes fall out, it may not always necessitate a visit to the emergency department, especially if the child is not experiencing any other symptoms. This response might cause unnecessary panic for the parent and may not be the most appropriate course of action.

C. "Notify the provider that the tubes have fallen out": This is the correct response. If the tympanoplasty tubes fall out, the parent should notify the healthcare provider who performed the procedure. The provider can then assess the situation and determine the next steps, which may include scheduling a follow-up appointment to evaluate the child's ears.

D. "The tubes are sutured in place and must be surgically removed": This is incorrect. Tympanoplasty tubes are not sutured in place; they are typically designed to fall out on their own after a certain period of time. Additionally, removal of tympanoplasty tubes usually does not require another surgical procedure.