A nurse is providing teaching to an adolescent who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Using a suppository for bowel movement is a common approach for managing bowel function in people with paralysis and is appropriate.

B. Carrying a water bottle to stay hydrated is important, especially since individuals with paralysis may be at increased risk of urinary tract infections. Adequate hydration is beneficial.

C. Doing wheelchair exercises while watching TV is a proactive way to maintain muscle tone and overall health, which is crucial for individuals with paralysis.

D. "I only need to catheterize myself twice every day!"

Explanation: In the context of spina bifida and paralysis from the waist down, catheterization is often required for bladder management. Individuals with this condition often experience urinary retention and require intermittent catheterization to empty their bladder. However, "twice every day" is not usually sufficient for someone with paraplegia. Adequate catheterization frequency is crucial to prevent urinary retention, infections, and other complications.

A. Allow for adjustment of rules to correlate with the child's behavior.Rules should be consistent and predictable for children with ASD. Frequently changing or “adjusting” rules to match variable behavior increases confusion and anxiety and reduces opportunities to learn expected behaviors.

B. Allow for imaginative play with peers without supervision.
Many children with ASD need structured, supervised social interactions and support to learn play skills, take turns, and interpret social cues. Unsupervised imaginative play may lead to misunderstanding, frustration, or safety issues.

C. Provide a flexible schedule that adjusts to the child's interests.
While incorporating a child’s interests into activities is useful, children with ASD generally do best with a structured, predictable schedule. Sudden flexibility or frequent schedule changes can be disorienting. Best practice: keep a consistent routine but incorporate preferred interests within that structure.

D. Establish a reward system for positive behavior.A reward system (token economy, sticker charts, immediate specific praise) provides clear, consistent, and concrete reinforcement for targeted behaviors. This increases motivation, helps teach expected behaviors, and can be faded gradually as behaviors become routine.