A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old infant who has a prescription for clear liquids by mouth after a repair of an intussusception. Which of the following fluids should the nurse select for the infant?

The correct answer is: B. I will add Polycose to each of my baby's bottles.

Choice A reason:

Allowing the baby to take as much time as needed to finish the bottle is not ideal for infants with heart failure. These infants often tire easily and may not consume enough calories if feeding sessions are prolonged. Shorter, more frequent feedings are generally recommended to ensure adequate intake without exhausting the infant.

Choice B reason:

Adding Polycose to each bottle is an effective way to increase the caloric density of the infant's feedings. Infants with heart failure have higher caloric needs due to their increased metabolic demands and may struggle to consume enough calories through regular formula or breast milk alone. Polycose, a carbohydrate supplement, helps meet these increased nutritional needs.

Choice C reason:

Feeding the baby on a schedule every 4 hours may not be sufficient for an infant with heart failure. These infants often require more frequent feedings to meet their caloric needs and to prevent fatigue during feeding. Feeding every 1-3 hours is typically recommended to ensure they receive adequate nutrition.

Choice D reason:

Limiting the baby's crying to 15 minutes prior to each feeding does not directly address the nutritional needs of an infant with heart failure. While managing crying is important to reduce energy expenditure, the focus should be on providing adequate nutrition through frequent, high-calorie feedings.

Choice A reason: Pain is an expected finding for a child who has appendicitis, as it is caused by the inflammation and infection of the appendix, which is a small pouch attached to the cecum. Pain usually begins around the umbilicus and then shifts to the right lower quadrant, and it may worsen with movement, coughing, or deep breathing.

Choice B reason: High fever is not an expected finding for a child who has appendicitis, as it indicates a severe infection or a perforation of the appendix, which can lead to peritonitis or sepsis. A mild fever may be present in some cases of appendicitis, but it is not a specific or reliable sign.

Choice C reason: Constipation is not an expected finding for a child who has appendicitis, as it is not related to the function or location of the appendix. Constipation may be caused by many other factors, such as dehydration, diet, medication, or bowel habits. Diarrhea may occur in some cases of appendicitis, but it is also not a specific or reliable sign.

Choice D reason: Bradycardia is not an expected finding for a child who has appendicitis, as it indicates a decreased heart rate, which can be a sign of shock, hypothermia, or cardiac problems. Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate below 60/min in children older than 1 year, or below 100/min in infants younger than 1 year. Tachycardia, or an increased heart rate, may occur in some cases of appendicitis, as a result of pain, fever, or dehydration.