A nurse is collecting data from a child who has pertussis.
Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

The correct answer is Choice B: Administer the medication to the toddler each evening.

Choice B rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for the long-term management of asthma, especially in preventing nighttime symptoms. It is typically prescribed to be administered once daily in the evening to provide optimal therapeutic benefits. By instructing the parents to give the medication each evening, the nurse promotes adherence to the prescribed dosing schedule and helps maximize the medication's effectiveness in controlling the toddler's asthma symptoms.

Choice A rationale: While some medications can be mixed with juice or other liquids to make them more palatable for children, montelukast should not be dissolved in a drink. Instead, it can be mixed with a spoonful of cold, soft food, such as applesauce or ice cream, if necessary, to facilitate administration. Mixing with juice could potentially alter the medication's efficacy or create an unpleasant taste.

Choice C rationale: Montelukast is not indicated for use as a quick-relief medication prior to physical activity. It is a maintenance medication intended for long-term asthma control rather than immediate relief of acute symptoms. Providing an additional dose of montelukast before physical activity would not serve the intended purpose and could increase the risk of side effects.

Choice D rationale: Montelukast is not meant to be used as a rescue medication for acute asthma attacks. It is a long-term control medication that helps prevent asthma attacks and improve overall symptom management. For acute asthma attacks, the toddler would require a fast-acting beta-agonist or other appropriate rescue medication prescribed by their healthcare provider. Administering montelukast during an acute asthma attack would not provide the rapid relief needed to alleviate symptoms and could potentially delay appropriate treatment.

Choice A rationale:

Decreased skin turgor. Decreased skin turgor is a sign of dehydration rather than fluid overload. In fluid overload, the body retains excess fluid, leading to symptoms like crackles in the lungs, edema, and increased blood pressure. Decreased skin turgor is more characteristic of dehydration, where the body loses fluid.

Choice B rationale:

Decreased blood pressure. Decreased blood pressure is not typically a manifestation of fluid overload. Fluid overload often leads to increased blood pressure as the heart has to work harder to pump excess fluid throughout the body.

Choice C rationale:

Weight loss. Weight loss is not a manifestation of fluid overload. In fact, fluid overload may lead to weight gain due to the retention of excess fluid in the body.

Choice D rationale:

Crackles heard in the lungs. Crackles heard in the lungs are a common manifestation of fluid overload. When there is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the lungs, it can interfere with the exchange of gases and cause crackling sounds during breathing. This is a significant clinical finding that indicates the need for intervention and assessment of fluid balance.