A nurse is planning to collect a stool specimen from an infant to check for the presence of ova and parasites. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Choice A rationale:
Placing the infant in a supine position during naps might not be the best action for an infant with heart failure. In heart failure, infants often experience difficulty breathing due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Placing the infant in a more upright position, such as semi-Fowler's, can help alleviate some of this respiratory distress.
Choice B rationale:
Feeding the infant a bottle every 4 hours is important, but it might not directly address the immediate concerns of an infant with heart failure. Infants with heart failure might have difficulty feeding due to fatigue and respiratory distress. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals and assessing the infant's feeding tolerance is crucial.
Choice C rationale:
Correct Answer. Documenting the infant's respiratory rate every 2 hours is an important action. Infants with heart failure often have respiratory distress and an increased respiratory rate, as the body tries to compensate for decreased cardiac output. Documenting the respiratory rate will help the healthcare team monitor the infant's condition and assess the effectiveness of interventions.
Choice D rationale:
Withholding digoxin if the infant's heart rate is greater than 100/min is not necessarily the correct action. Digoxin is a medication commonly used in heart failure to improve cardiac contractility. While it's important to monitor the infant's heart rate, a heart rate of greater than 100/min might be due to the body's compensatory mechanisms in response to heart failure. Withholding the medication without consulting a healthcare provider might not be appropriate.

Choice A rationale:
Obtain the specimen by swabbing the infant's rectum using a sterile culture swab. This is the correct choice. When collecting a stool specimen from an infant, the rectal swab method is commonly used. A sterile culture swab helps prevent contamination and ensures accurate results for detecting the presence of ova and parasites in the stool.

Choice B rationale:
Place a urine collection device on the infant until the specimen is obtained. This choice is not appropriate for collecting a stool specimen. A urine collection device is used for collecting urine, not stool. The specimen for ova and parasites needs to be taken directly from the rectum or diaper to accurately identify any infestations.
Choice C rationale:
Transfer the specimen to the collection container using povidone-iodine-soaked gauze. While povidone-iodine is an antiseptic, it is not typically used to transfer stool specimens. Using a sterile swab or a clean, dry container is more suitable for collecting and transporting stool samples to the lab.
Choice D rationale:
Maintain the specimen at room temperature after collection until it is transferred to the lab. Stool specimens for ova and parasites usually require refrigeration to prevent the degradation and growth of potential pathogens. Room temperature might lead to the overgrowth of bacteria and parasites, affecting the accuracy of test results.