A nurse is caring for a client who underwent an appendectomy 2 days ago and now reports sudden, unbearable pain in the left great toe. The client has a medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, gouty arthritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which instruction should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?

Choice A reason: While living in older housing projects can pose a risk, the age of the child and their behaviors, such as hand-to-mouth activities, make younger children more susceptible.

Choice B reason: A 2-year-old is at the highest risk due to their developmental stage, which includes frequent hand-to-mouth activity and the likelihood of playing in soil or dust that may be contaminated with lead.

Choice C reason: Adolescents working in a paint factory may be exposed to lead; however, they are less likely to engage in hand-to-mouth behaviors that lead to ingestion, which is the primary route of lead poisoning in children.

Choice D reason: A 10-year-old with Type 1 diabetes mellitus does not have an increased risk of lead poisoning based on their condition alone.

Choice A reason: Monitoring for fever is essential after cardiac procedures like the one described. Fever can be a sign of infection, which is a risk following any invasive procedure. Normal body temperature ranges from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C) for a typical child, but it can be slightly lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon and evening.
Choice B reason: There is no need to restrict the child to clear liquids for several days unless specifically instructed by the physician for a particular reason. After cardiac catheterization, patients are usually encouraged to resume their normal diet as tolerated to promote recovery unless there are other concerns that warrant dietary restrictions1.
Choice C reason: Avoiding baths or showers is generally recommended immediately after cardiac catheterization to prevent infection at the catheter insertion site. However, this restriction is usually only for a few days, not indefinitely. The site needs to be kept dry and clean until it has sufficiently healed.
Choice D reason: Keeping a pressure dressing on the site for one week is not typically necessary. The dressing is usually checked and changed by healthcare professionals, and the site is monitored for healing. The dressing may be removed after a certain period, often before one week, as long as there are no signs of bleeding or infection.
Choice E reason: Alerting the physician if the site bleeds or swells is crucial. Swelling or bleeding can indicate complications such as infection or hematoma formation. Parents should be instructed to look for any signs of abnormal discharge, redness, or increased pain, which could signify an infection.
Choice F reason: The child may take ibuprofen for pain, but it should be under the guidance of a physician. Ibuprofen is an NSAID that can help with pain and inflammation. However, it’s important to use the correct dosage and to ensure it doesn’t interfere with any other medications the child may be taking.