A nurse is creating a plan of care for a child who has sickle cell anemia. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

Choice A reason: Bacterial meningitis is a probable condition, as it is an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, caused by various bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, or Haemophilus influenzae. The adolescent has many signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis, such as fever, headache, and neck stiffness.

Choice B reason: Viral meningitis is not a likely condition, as it is an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, caused by various viruses, such as enteroviruses, herpes simplex virus, or mumps virus. The adolescent has some signs and symptoms of viral meningitis, such as fever, headache, and neck stiffness, but they are usually less severe than bacterial meningitis.

Choice C reason: Encephalitis is not a probable condition, as it is an inflammation of the brain tissue, usually caused by viral infections, such as herpes simplex virus, West Nile virus, or rabies virus. The adolescent has some signs and symptoms of encephalitis, such as fever, headache, and altered mental status, but they are usually accompanied by focal neurological deficits, such as seizures, paralysis, or cranial nerve palsies.

Choice D reason: Brain abscess is not a definite condition, as it is a collection of pus within the brain tissue, usually caused by bacterial infections that spread from other parts of the body, such as the ear, sinus, or lung. The adolescent has some signs and symptoms of brain abscess, such as fever, headache, and altered mental status, but they are usually accompanied by focal neurological deficits, such as seizures, paralysis, or cranial nerve palsies.

Choice A reason: This is not a statement that indicates a need for further teaching. The client is doing wheelchair exercises while watching TV, which is a good way to maintain physical activity and prevent muscle atrophy and contractures. The nurse should praise the client for this behavior and encourage them to continue.

Choice B reason: This is not a statement that indicates a need for further teaching. The client is carrying a water bottle with them and drinking a lot of water, which is a good way to prevent dehydration and urinary tract infections. The nurse should praise the client for this behavior and remind them to drink at least 2 liters of water per day.

Choice C reason: This is not a statement that indicates a need for further teaching. The client is using a suppository every night to have a bowel movement, which is a common method of managing bowel dysfunction in clients with spina bifida. The nurse should ask the client about their bowel routine and provide any additional education or support as needed.

Choice D reason: This is a statement that indicates a need for further teaching. The client is only catheterizing themselves twice every day, which is not enough to prevent urinary retention and infection. The nurse should explain to the client that they need to catheterize themselves at least every 4 to 6 hours, or as prescribed by the provider. The nurse should also demonstrate the proper technique and hygiene for catheterization and assess the client's ability to perform it.