A nurse is caring for a client who was recently diagnosed with depression. The client's partner asks when he will get better. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

Rationale:

• Chronic respiratory infections: A positive sweat chloride test confirms cystic fibrosis, a condition characterized by thick mucus that obstructs airways, leading to persistent cough, wheezing, and a high risk of recurrent lung infections due to impaired mucus clearance.

• Malabsorption: Cystic fibrosis affects the pancreas by blocking enzyme flow needed for digestion. This results in poor nutrient absorption, causing symptoms like excessive hunger, weight loss despite eating well, and abdominal distension, all of which are evident in this child.

• Bone marrow failure: There are no signs of pancytopenia, anemia, or infection susceptibility that would suggest bone marrow dysfunction. Cystic fibrosis does not typically impact hematopoietic function directly.

• Hypernatremia: Although cystic fibrosis can lead to salt imbalances due to abnormal chloride transport, hypernatremia is not commonly a presenting concern unless there's severe dehydration, which is not evident here.

• Excessive weight gain: The child is losing weight despite increased appetite. Malabsorption from pancreatic insufficiency prevents weight gain in cystic fibrosis, making excessive weight gain an unlikely risk.

Rationale:

A. "Colostrum provides vitamin K which is an essential nutrient for newborns." While vitamin K is essential for clotting, it is not found in sufficient amounts in colostrum. This is why newborns routinely receive a vitamin K injection shortly after birth, rather than relying on breast milk as a source.

B. "Colostrum provides many important antibodies that the newborn lacks." Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins, especially IgA, which help protect the newborn from pathogens by providing passive immunity. These antibodies line the infant's gastrointestinal tract and offer critical defense during early life.

C. "Colostrum contains iron, which is important for a newborn's brain development." Although breast milk contains iron, colostrum is not a major source of it. Newborns are typically born with adequate iron stores to last several months, and the primary role of colostrum is immune protection, not iron supplementation.

D. "Colostrum contains a natural diuretic that stimulates the newborn to void." While colostrum has a laxative effect that helps the newborn pass meconium, there is no known diuretic component. Its primary importance lies in delivering antibodies and coating the GI tract to reduce infection risk.