A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has a new plaster cast on her right arm. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Maintain night splints to the affected joint: Night splints help maintain joint position and function during sleep, preventing contractures and deformities. This is a common intervention in managing juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to ensure proper joint alignment and minimize pain and stiffness.

B. Encourage the child to take daytime naps: Daytime naps can lead to prolonged periods of immobility, which may increase stiffness and pain in joints. Maintaining regular activity and exercise is usually recommended to preserve joint function.

C. Administer opioids on a schedule: Opioids are not typically first-line treatment for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis due to potential side effects and risk of dependence. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are more commonly used.

D. Apply cool compresses for 20 min every hour: Cool compresses may provide temporary relief for acute joint pain but are not recommended on a regular schedule due to risk of skin damage and reduced joint flexibility. Heat application is more commonly used for chronic pain relief in arthritis.

A. Drink eight glasses of fluid daily: Maintaining hydration is crucial in preventing sickle cell crises as it helps to keep the blood less viscous, reducing the risk of vaso-occlusion.

B. Maintain an updated haemophilus influenza type B immunization: While staying up to date on vaccinations is important, it is not specific to preventing sickle cell crises.

C. Assume postural drainage positions every 6 hr: This is more relevant for respiratory conditions like cystic fibrosis, not sickle cell anemia.

D. Avoid playground activities at school: Regular activity is beneficial, but avoiding extreme physical exertion is more relevant. Normal playground activities can usually be continued with proper hydration and caution.