A nurse is contributing to the plan of care of a 14-month-old toddler who is 24 h postoperative following a cleft palate repair. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

A. A 45-degree head elevation: This position can help facilitate venous drainage and reduce intracranial pressure. Elevating the head of the bed may aid in preventing the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain, which is important after VP shunt insertion to maintain proper drainage. However, this position alone may not be sufficient.

B. On the nonoperative side: Placing the child on the nonoperative side can help reduce pressure on the side where the shunt was inserted, minimizing discomfort and the risk of disruption or displacement of the shunt. However, this position may not directly affect CSF drainage.

C. Prone: Placing the child prone (lying face down) is generally not recommended after VP shunt insertion. This position may increase pressure on the head and interfere with proper CSF drainage, potentially leading to complications.

D. Supine: Placing the child supine (lying on their back) is typically recommended after VP shunt insertion. This position helps promote proper drainage of CSF through the shunt system without placing undue pressure on the surgical site. It also allows for easy monitoring of the child's condition and surgical site.

A. A room with a toddler who has pneumonia.

This option is not ideal because both RSV and pneumonia are respiratory infections that can spread to other patients. Placing these two patients together could increase the risk of cross-infection.

B. A private room with reverse isolation.

Reverse isolation is typically used to protect immunocompromised patients from acquiring infections from others. However, in the case of RSV, reverse isolation is not necessary because RSV primarily affects infants and young children who are generally not immunocompromised. Therefore, this option is not appropriate for an infant with RSV.

C. A private room with contact/droplet precautions.

This option is the most appropriate. RSV is primarily spread through respiratory droplets and direct contact with respiratory secretions. Placing the infant in a private room with contact/droplet precautions helps to minimize the risk of transmission to other patients. Healthcare workers and visitors entering the room should adhere to appropriate precautions, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and gowns.

D. A room with an infant who has croup.

Placing an infant with RSV in the same room as an infant with croup is not ideal because both conditions involve respiratory symptoms and may increase the risk of cross-infection.