A nurse is preparing to instill an otic suspension into an adult client's ear.

Which of the following methods should the nurse plan to use?

The initial diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine is indicated for a 2-month-old infant. The DTaP vaccine is typically administered as a series of doses starting in infancy to provide protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).

The recommended schedule for the DTaP vaccine includes a series of doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with additional booster doses given later in childhood. Therefore, the first dose of DTaP is given to infants at 2 months of age.

The other options are incorrect because:

b) A 4-month-old infant: By 4 months of age, the second dose of the DTaP vaccine should be administered, not the initial dose.

c) A 6-month-old infant: By 6 months of age, the third dose of the DTaP vaccine should be administered, not the initial dose.

d) A 15-month-old toddler: By 15 months of age, the toddler would have already received multiple doses of the DTaP vaccine as part of the recommended series. The initial dose is typically given earlier, at 2 months of age.

Answer: D

Rationale:

A) Collect 2 mL of sputum in an emesis basin: Collecting sputum in an emesis basin is inappropriate for laboratory testing. The sputum should be collected directly into a sterile container to prevent contamination. This ensures that the culture and sensitivity results are accurate and reflect the client's true respiratory pathogens.

B) Instruct the client to rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash prior to specimen collection: Using an antiseptic mouthwash before collecting a sputum sample is not recommended because it may alter the flora present in the sputum, leading to inaccurate culture results. Instead, the client should rinse their mouth with plain water to clear excess saliva or food debris.

C) Swab the oropharynx with a sterile swab: Swabbing the oropharynx does not obtain sputum from the lungs but instead gathers a sample from the throat, which may not be reflective of lower respiratory infections. A proper sputum sample is produced through a deep cough to collect material directly from the lungs.

D) Refrigerate the specimen until the time of transport to the laboratory: Refrigerating the sputum specimen helps to preserve its integrity by preventing the overgrowth of bacteria or other pathogens until it can be transported to the laboratory. Proper refrigeration ensures that the culture and sensitivity results remain accurate.