A nurse is preparing to perform a dressing change on a preschooler. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prepare the child for the procedure?

Choice A rationale: Donut-shaped cushions are contraindicated because they create a ring of high pressure that restricts blood flow to the central area. This can worsen tissue ischemia and accelerate skin breakdown.

Choice B rationale: Clients with paraplegia sitting in a chair should be repositioned every 15 minutes to relieve pressure. Frequent shifts are necessary because sitting exerts higher pressure on the ischial tuberosities than lying down.

Choice C rationale: Moisture-barrier creams are used to protect skin from incontinence or wound drainage. Nonblanchable erythema indicates a stage 1 pressure injury, which requires pressure relief rather than a topical moisture barrier.

Choice D rationale: While in bed, the standard of care is to turn and reposition the client at least every 2 hours. A 3-hour interval is too long and increases the risk of further tissue damage.

Choice A reason: Amniocentesis involves needle insertion through the uterine wall, which can irritate the uterus and trigger contractions, risking preterm labor at 33 weeks. Monitoring contractions is vital to detect early labor signs, enabling interventions like tocolytics to delay delivery. This protects the premature fetus, ensuring better outcomes by maintaining pregnancy until closer to term.
Choice B reason: Vomiting is not a typical amniocentesis complication. The procedure is localized to the uterus, with minimal systemic effects. Nausea may occur from anxiety, but vomiting is rare and not a priority for monitoring. Focus remains on uterine and fetal complications, like contractions or fluid leakage, which directly impact pregnancy safety and outcomes.
Choice C reason: Hypertension is not directly linked to amniocentesis. The procedure does not typically affect maternal cardiovascular function, as it’s a localized intervention. Monitoring for hypertension is more relevant for conditions like preeclampsia. Post-amniocentesis, the priority is uterine activity and fetal distress, not blood pressure, making this an irrelevant complication to monitor.
Choice D reason: Polyuria is not associated with amniocentesis, as the procedure does not impact renal function or fluid balance. The focus is on complications like contractions, bleeding, or amniotic fluid leakage, which pose direct risks to the pregnancy. Monitoring polyuria is unnecessary, as it does not reflect the procedure’s physiological effects or risks.