A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a newborn who has gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Providing a snack 30 min before treatments can worsen nausea and diarrhea, as food can stimulate gastric motility and secretion. It is better to avoid eating for at least 2 hours before and after treatments.

Choice B reason: Ensuring foods are served hot can increase nausea and diarrhea, as hot foods can have strong smells and irritate the digestive tract. It is better to serve foods at room temperature or cold.

Choice C reason: Administering antiemetics on a schedule can prevent nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Antiemetics can also reduce abdominal cramps and spasms that cause diarrhea.

Choice D reason: Serving low carbohydrate meals can aggravate diarrhea, as carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. It is better to serve high carbohydrate meals that are easy to digest, such as rice, potatoes, bread, or crackers.

Choice A reason: Soaking fruits in water before peeling them is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, to leach out into the water. It is better to wash fruits briefly under running water and peel them as thinly as possible.

Choice B reason: Cooking vegetables for the week and reheating them at each meal is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause nutrient losses due to exposure to heat, light, air, and water. It is better to cook vegetables as close to the time of consumption as possible and use minimal water and cooking time.

Choice C reason: Boiling vegetables on the stove until they are soft is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause significant nutrient losses due to high temperature and long cooking time. It is better to steam, microwave, or stir-fry vegetables until they are crisp-tender and retain their color and texture.

Choice D reason: Keeping ripe fruits refrigerated until eating them is a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can slow down the ripening process and prevent spoilage. Refrigeration can preserve the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of fruits. However, some fruits, such as bananas, tomatoes, and avocados, should not be refrigerated because they can lose their quality and taste.