A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a parent and his school-age child who has juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A: Loosening restrictive clothing is not the priority action, but rather a secondary action for a child who is having a tonic-clonic seizure and vomiting. A tonic-clonic seizure is a type of seizure that involves the stiffening of muscles (tonic phase) followed by jerking movements (clonic phase). Loosening restrictive clothing can prevent injury or discomfort to the child during or after the seizure.

Choice B: Placing a pillow under the child's head is not the priority action, but rather an inappropriate action for a child who is having a tonic-clonic seizure and vomiting. A pillow under the head can obstruct the airway or cause aspiration of vomitus into the lungs. The nurse should remove any pillows or objects from around the head and neck area and support the head with their hands or on a flat surface.

Choice C: Clearing the area of hazards is not the priority action, but rather a secondary action for a child who is having a tonic-clonic seizure and vomiting. Clearing the area of hazards can prevent injury or harm to the child or others during or after the seizure. The nurse should remove any sharp, hard, or flammable objects from near or under the child and move any furniture or equipment away.

Choice D: Positioning the child side-lying is the priority action for a child who is having a tonic-clonic seizure and vomiting, as it can protect the airway and prevent aspiration of vomitus into the lungs. Aspiration can cause pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs that can cause fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or death. The nurse should turn the child's head to one side and place them on their side with their knees bent and one arm under their head. The nurse should also suction any vomitus from their mouth and nose if needed.

Choice A reason: This choice is incorrect because bradycardia is not a common finding in a child who is in a sickle cell crisis. Bradycardia is a condition in which the heart rate is slower than normal (less than 60 beats per minute). It may be caused by various factors such as hypothermia, hypothyroidism, or medication side effects, but it does not indicate a sickle cell crisis.

Choice B reason: This choice is incorrect because constipation is not a common finding in a child who is in a sickle cell crisis. Constipation is a condition in which the bowel movements are infrequent, hard, or difficult to pass. It may be caused by various factors such as dehydration, a low-fiber diet, or lack of physical activity, but it does not indicate a sickle cell crisis.

Choice C reason: This choice is correct because pain is a common finding in a child who is in a sickle cell crisis. Sickle cell crisis is a condition in which the red blood cells become sickle-shaped and clump together, blocking the blood flow and oxygen delivery to the organs and tissues. It may cause severe pain in the chest, abdomen, joints, or bones, as well as symptoms such as pallor, jaundice, fatigue, or shortness of breath.

Choice D reason: This choice is incorrect because high fever is not a specific finding in a child who is in a sickle cell crisis. High fever may indicate infection, inflammation, or dehydration, but it does not indicate sickle cell crisis. However, the infection can trigger or worsen the sickle cell crisis, so it should be treated promptly with antibiotics and fluids.