A nurse is collecting data from a 5-month-old infant who has increased intracranial pressure (ICP) resulting from hydrocephalus. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

A. "Give her acetaminophen, not aspirin." This is the appropriate response. Acetaminophen is commonly recommended for treating fever in children as it is safer and does not carry the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition associated with aspirin use in children and adolescents, particularly when they have viral infections. This response provides a safe alternative and addresses the immediate concern of fever treatment.

B. "You'll have to call your physician." While consulting a physician is generally good advice, this response does not provide immediate guidance or address the potential risks of giving aspirin to a toddler. It leaves the parent without immediate and necessary information to prevent harm.

C. "Follow the directions on the aspirin bottle for her age and weight." This response is inappropriate and potentially harmful. Aspirin should not be given to children, especially without a physician's guidance, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. Following dosage directions on an aspirin bottle is unsafe for a toddler, as aspirin is not recommended for children in this age group for fever treatment.

D. "Give her no more than three baby aspirin every 4 hours." This is incorrect and dangerous advice. Giving any amount of aspirin to a toddler is not recommended because of the risk of Reye's syndrome. Suggesting a specific dosage implies that it's safe to give aspirin to a child, which it is not in this context.

A. Firmly push a cotton ball into the ear canal after instilling drops. Firmly pushing a cotton ball into the ear canal is not recommended as it can cause irritation or damage to the ear canal. A loose cotton ball can be placed at the entrance of the ear canal to prevent the drops from leaking out, but it should not be inserted deeply.

B. Pull the child's ear auricle upward and outward just before instilling drops. For a child under 3 years old, the ear auricle should be pulled downward and backward to straighten the ear canal for proper administration of ear drops. Pulling upward and outward is appropriate for older children and adults.

C. Apply clean gloves and clean the outer ear prior to instilling drops. Applying clean gloves and cleaning the outer ear is essential for preventing infection and ensuring that the medication is administered properly. This is a standard procedure to maintain hygiene.

D. Warm the medication container for 10 seconds in a microwave oven prior to installation. Microwaving medication is not recommended as it can overheat and degrade the medication. Warming the drops by holding the container in your hands for a few minutes is safer and helps to avoid the discomfort of cold drops.

A. Firmly push a cotton ball into the ear canal after instilling drops. Firmly pushing a cotton ball into the ear canal is not recommended as it can cause irritation or damage to the ear canal. A loose cotton ball can be placed at the entrance of the ear canal to prevent the drops from leaking out, but it should not be inserted deeply.

B. Pull the child's ear auricle upward and outward just before instilling drops. For a child under 3 years old, the ear auricle should be pulled downward and backward to straighten the ear canal for proper administration of ear drops. Pulling upward and outward is appropriate for older children and adults.

C. Apply clean gloves and clean the outer ear prior to instilling drops. Applying clean gloves and cleaning the outer ear is essential for preventing infection and ensuring that the medication is administered properly. This is a standard procedure to maintain hygiene.

D. Warm the medication container for 10 seconds in a microwave oven prior to installation. Microwaving medication is not recommended as it can overheat and degrade the medication. Warming the drops by holding the container in your hands for a few minutes is safer and helps to avoid the discomfort of cold drops.

A. Firmly push a cotton ball into the ear canal after instilling drops. Firmly pushing a cotton ball into the ear canal is not recommended as it can cause irritation or damage to the ear canal. A loose cotton ball can be placed at the entrance of the ear canal to prevent the drops from leaking out, but it should not be inserted deeply.

B. Pull the child's ear auricle upward and outward just before instilling drops. For a child under 3 years old, the ear auricle should be pulled downward and backward to straighten the ear canal for proper administration of ear drops. Pulling upward and outward is appropriate for older children and adults.

C. Apply clean gloves and clean the outer ear prior to instilling drops. Applying clean gloves and cleaning the outer ear is essential for preventing infection and ensuring that the medication is administered properly. This is a standard procedure to maintain hygiene.

D. Warm the medication container for 10 seconds in a microwave oven prior to installation. Microwaving medication is not recommended as it can overheat and degrade the medication. Warming the drops by holding the container in your hands for a few minutes is safer and helps to avoid the discomfort of cold drops.