A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the parents of an infant who has a prescription for home oxygen and pulse oximetry monitoring. Which of the following statements by the parents indicates a need for further teaching?

Choice A: Iron supplements are used to treat iron-deficiency anemia, but they can also reduce the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and make the stools harder and drier¹². This can lead to difficulty in passing stools and increased straining.
Choice B: Magnesium-containing antacids are used to treat heartburn and acid reflux, but they can also have a laxative effect and cause diarrhea¹³. This is because magnesium draws water into the intestines and stimulates bowel movements.
Choice C: Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, but they can also disrupt the normal flora of the gut and cause diarrhea¹⁴. This is because antibiotics can kill the beneficial bacteria that help digest food and prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria that cause inflammation and infection.
Choice D: Anticholinergics/antispasmodics are used to treat overactive bladder, irritable bowel syndrome, and other conditions that involve muscle spasms in the gut, but they can also slow down the movement of the intestines and relax the muscles that help push the stools out¹ . This can lead to reduced frequency and difficulty in defecation.
Choice E: Opioid narcotics are used to treat moderate to severe pain, but they can also block the signals from the brain to the gut and inhibit the contraction of the intestinal muscles¹ . This can lead to decreased bowel activity and accumulation of hard and dry stools.

Choice A reason: Obtaining a prescription to administer insulin is an important action for the nurse to take, as insulin helps to lower the blood glucose level and reverse the metabolic acidosis caused by diabetic ketoacidosis. However, it is not the first action the nurse should take, as the client's hypoxia is a more urgent problem that requires immediate intervention.

Choice B reason: Obtaining a prescription for supplemental oxygen is the first action the nurse should take, as hypoxia is a life-threatening condition that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. The nurse should provide oxygen therapy to improve the client's oxygen saturation and prevent further complications.

Choice C reason: Obtaining a prescription to check the client's glucose level is a necessary action for the nurse to take, as glucose monitoring helps to evaluate the client's response to insulin therapy and guide further interventions. However, it is not the first action the nurse should take, as the client's hypoxia is a more urgent problem that requires immediate intervention.

Choice D reason: Obtaining a prescription to administer intravenous fluids is a beneficial action for the nurse to take, as fluid replacement helps to correct the dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and hypotension caused by diabetic ketoacidosis. However, it is not the first action the nurse should take, as the client's hypoxia is a more urgent problem that requires immediate intervention.