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. Keep the client's leg in a dependent position. Keeping the leg in a dependent position can increase swelling and delay healing. The leg should be elevated to reduce swelling and promote circulation.

B. Use a hair dryer on a hot setting to dry the cast. Using a hair dryer on a hot setting can cause burns and does not effectively dry a plaster cast. Plaster casts take time to dry and should be air-dried naturally.

C. Discourage the client from ambulating: Early mobilization is encouraged to prevent complications like muscle atrophy and joint stiffness, as long as it is safe and the healthcare provider has approved it. Completely discouraging ambulation is not generally recommended unless specified by a doctor.

D. Perform a neurovascular check of the lower extremities. Neurovascular checks are essential to ensure that there is adequate blood flow and nerve function below the cast. This includes checking for pain, pallor, pulse, paresthesia, and paralysis (the 5 P’s). This helps detect complications like compartment syndrome or decreased circulation early.

A. "SIDS is directly correlated to diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines." This statement is incorrect and misleading. There is no direct correlation between SIDS and vaccinations like the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccines. In fact, immunizations are an important part of a child's health and can help prevent diseases that could lead to complications, including those that might be indirectly related to SIDS risk factors.

B. "SIDS rates have been rising over the last 10 years." This statement is false. SIDS rates have generally been decreasing, especially since the introduction of public health campaigns promoting safe sleep practices, such as placing infants on their backs to sleep.

C. "You should place your baby on her back when sleeping to decrease the risk of SIDS." This is the correct and evidence-based recommendation. Placing a baby on their back to sleep significantly reduces the risk of SIDS. This practice is part of the "Back to Sleep" campaign, which has been shown to lower the incidence of SIDS.

D. "Sleep apnea is the main cause of SIDS." This statement is incorrect. While sleep apnea has been studied as a potential risk factor, it is not considered the main cause of SIDS. The exact cause of SIDS is still unknown, but it is believed to be related to multiple factors, including sleep environment and infant physiology.