A nurse is planning care for a child who has osteomyelitis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Choice A Reason:

Obtain written consent from the client is correct. In many jurisdictions, adolescents have the legal right to consent to STI testing and treatment without parental involvement or notification. Healthcare providers must adhere to confidentiality and privacy laws regarding adolescent health, particularly concerning sensitive issues like STI testing and treatment.

Choice B Reason:

Contact the client's parents to obtain phone consent is incorrect. Contacting the client's parents for consent might breach the adolescent's privacy and confidentiality, particularly in cases where they have the legal right to seek STI testing without parental involvement. In many jurisdictions, adolescents have the right to confidential healthcare services related to sexual health.

Choice C Reason:

Postpone the testing until the client's parents are present is incorrect. Delaying the testing until the client's parents are present could potentially compromise the adolescent's health. Confidentiality and timely access to healthcare services are critical, especially in cases concerning sexual health where prompt testing and treatment might be necessary.

Choice D Reason:

Request verbal consent from the social worker. Obtaining consent through a social worker might not follow proper healthcare protocols. Written consent from the adolescent themselves, if legally permissible, is typically required for such medical procedures, ensuring proper documentation and legal compliance.

Correct answer: C

Choice A Reason:

Instructing the child to drink fluids through a straw should be avoided immediately after a tonsillectomy. The sucking motion required when using a straw can potentially disrupt the healing process and dislodge the blood clot at the surgical site, leading to bleeding. Therefore, this action is not recommended.

Choice B Reason:

Avoid milk products such as milk, icecream and pudding initially because they coat the throat, causing the child to cough to clear the throat.

Choice C Reason:

Placing the child in a side-lying position helps maintain an open airway and allows drainage of saliva and potential blood.

Choice D Reason:

Encouraging the child to deep breath and cough is generally a good practice to prevent respiratory complications post-anesthesia. However, immediate post-tonsillectomy, the focus might be more on airway patency and monitoring for signs of bleeding or adverse reactions rather than deep breathing and coughing.