A nurse is preparing to apply lidocaine and prilocaine cream to a child prior to the insertion of an IV catheter. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Choice A reason: A 24-gauge catheter is appropriate for a small and fragile vein of a 12-month-old infant. It minimizes the risk of damaging the vein and ensures the comfort of the infant during IV therapy.

Choice B reason: Starting an IV in the infant's foot is not the first choice due to the risk of movement dislodging the catheter. The hand or the antecubital fossa are preferred sites for IV insertion in infants.

Choice C reason: While it is important to cover the IV insertion site, an opaque dressing is not necessary. A transparent dressing is preferred as it allows for continuous visibility of the site for signs of infection or phlebitis.

Choice D reason: The IV site should not be routinely changed every 3 days. It should be changed based on clinical indications such as signs of infection, infiltration, or phlebitis, or if the IV becomes dislodged.

Choice A reason: Producing tears when crying is not typically a sign of severe dehydration. In fact, the ability to produce tears may suggest that the infant is not severely dehydrated.

Choice B reason: A sunken anterior fontanel is a classic sign of severe dehydration in infants. The fontanel, which is the soft spot on the top of a baby's head, can appear sunken when there is significant fluid loss.

Choice C reason: While weight loss can be a sign of dehydration, a 5% weight loss alone does not necessarily indicate severe dehydration. Other clinical signs should also be considered.

Choice D reason: A capillary refill time of 3 seconds is at the upper limit of normal. Prolonged capillary refill time can be a sign of dehydration, but it is not as specific as a sunken anterior fontanel for severe dehydration.