A nurse is caring for a client who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should recognize that the client needs a referral for diabetic education when the client does which of the following?

The initial diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine is indicated for a 2-month-old infant. The DTaP vaccine is typically administered as a series of doses starting in infancy to provide protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).

The recommended schedule for the DTaP vaccine includes a series of doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with additional booster doses given later in childhood. Therefore, the first dose of DTaP is given to infants at 2 months of age.

The other options are incorrect because:

b) A 4-month-old infant: By 4 months of age, the second dose of the DTaP vaccine should be administered, not the initial dose.

c) A 6-month-old infant: By 6 months of age, the third dose of the DTaP vaccine should be administered, not the initial dose.

d) A 15-month-old toddler: By 15 months of age, the toddler would have already received multiple doses of the DTaP vaccine as part of the recommended series. The initial dose is typically given earlier, at 2 months of age.

Answer: A. Apply light pressure to the inner canthus just after instilling the eye drops.

Rationale:

A) Apply light pressure to the inner canthus just after instilling the eye drops.
Applying pressure to the inner canthus (the corner of the eye nearest the nose) helps occlude the nasolacrimal duct. This action reduces the systemic absorption of the medication by preventing it from draining into the nasal passages and subsequently into the systemic circulation, thus enhancing the local effect of the eye drops.

B) Wipe the eye from the inner to the outer canthus with a sterile saline-moistened cotton ball.
While this action may help remove excess medication or discharge, it does not minimize systemic absorption. Instead, wiping the eye could inadvertently spread the medication to other areas, increasing the chance of absorption rather than reducing it.

C) Administer the medication drops directly into the lower conjunctival sac of each eye.
While placing drops in the lower conjunctival sac is a standard practice for delivering ophthalmic medications, it does not directly influence systemic absorption. The main goal is to ensure adequate dosing in the eye, but systemic absorption can still occur if the drops drain into the nasolacrimal duct.

D) Wait 5 min after instillation before instilling the drops in the other eye.
Waiting between instillations is good practice to prevent dilution of the first dose and to allow for absorption. However, this action does not significantly impact systemic absorption. It focuses more on ensuring that the first dose is effective before administering a second dose.