A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a 12-month-old infant following cleft palate repair. Which of the following actions should the nurse include?

The correct answer is a. Call EMS if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more.

Explanation:

When providing home care instructions for a child with a seizure disorder, it is important to educate the parents about appropriate actions during a seizure. Calling emergency medical services (EMS) if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more is crucial because it may indicate a condition called status epilepticus, which is a prolonged seizure or a series of seizures without full recovery of consciousness between them. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical intervention.

Option b, restraining the child at the onset of a seizure, is not recommended. Restraint can potentially cause harm to the child and increase the risk of injury. It is advised to create a safe environment by removing any nearby objects that could cause injury and placing a pillow or cushion under the child's head to prevent head injury.

Option c, offering the child a bubble bath every evening, is not specifically related to seizure management. Bathing routines can be continued as long as they are safe and supervised. However, it is important to ensure the child's safety during bathing, such as providing adequate supervision to prevent drowning or injury.

Option d, placing the child in a prone position during a seizure, is not recommended. Placing the child in a prone position (face down) during a seizure can obstruct the airway and increase the risk of respiratory complications. The child should be placed on their side, in a recovery position, to facilitate drainage of saliva or other fluids and prevent choking.

Overall, the most important instruction for the parents is to recognize the signs of prolonged seizure activity and to seek immediate medical assistance by calling EMS if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more.

Delegating tasks involves assigning appropriate responsibilities to assistive personnel based on their level of training, competency, and scope of practice. Performing indwelling urinary catheter care is a task that can be safely delegated to an AP who has received proper training and demonstrated competency in this skill. The nurse should ensure that the AP is familiar with the facility's policies and procedures regarding catheter care and can perform the task safely and effectively.

Demonstrating how to use an incentive spirometer requires specialized knowledge and the ability to provide clear instructions. It is typically within the scope of practice of licensed healthcare professionals, such as nurses or respiratory therapists, who have the necessary expertise to properly educate and guide patients in using an incentive spirometer. This task should not be delegated to an AP.

Measuring and assessing the depth of a pressure injury requires clinical judgment and accurate evaluation, which falls within the scope of practice of a licensed nurse. It involves understanding wound assessment, proper technique for measuring depth, and interpreting the findings. This task should be performed by the nurse rather than an AP.

Changing the appliance on a new colostomy involves skills such as assessing the stoma, selecting the appropriate appliance, and ensuring proper application. This task requires specialized knowledge and training in stoma care, and it should be performed by a licensed nurse who has the expertise in managing ostomies. It should not be delegated to an AP.