A nurse is reinforcing teaching about controlling allergens with the parent of a child who has a new diagnosis of asthma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A rationale:
Correct Answer. Placing the medication along the side of the child's tongue is a recommended technique for administering oral medication to infants. This helps prevent the infant from spitting out the medication and encourages swallowing. Placing the medication directly on the center of the tongue might trigger the gag reflex.
Choice B rationale:
Putting small bits of ice on the child's tongue prior to administering the medication is not a standard technique and is not necessary for giving liquid medication. This could potentially create discomfort for the infant and may not contribute to effective medication administration.
Choice C rationale:
Positioning the child on their back during administration of the medication is not ideal. This position might increase the risk of choking. Placing the child in an upright or slightly inclined position is generally recommended to aid in swallowing and prevent choking.
Choice D rationale:
Adding the medication to the child's formula prior to feeding is not advisable without consulting a healthcare provider. Mixing medication with formula can alter the medication's effectiveness or interactions. It's important to administer medications separately from formula to ensure accurate dosing. The correct answer is choice C. Document the infant's respiratory rate every 2 hr. The correct answer is choice D. Adopted. The correct answer is choice A. "You should place the medication along the side of your child's tongue during administration."

Choice A rationale:
Decrease daily oral fluid intake. Rationale: This choice is not appropriate for a client experiencing a vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia. In this crisis, there is a risk of dehydration due to increased fluid loss, and decreasing oral fluid intake would exacerbate this issue. Adequate hydration is important to prevent further sickling of red blood cells and maintain organ perfusion.
Choice B rationale:
Maintain bed rest to prevent hypoxemia. Rationale: This is the correct choice. During a vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia, blood flow to certain tissues is restricted, leading to tissue hypoxia and pain. Bed rest is recommended to reduce metabolic demands and oxygen consumption, helping to prevent further tissue damage and improve oxygenation. It also reduces the risk of complications such as thrombosis and respiratory compromise.
Choice C rationale:
Apply cold compresses to painful joints. Rationale: Applying cold compresses is not a recommended intervention for vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia. Cold can exacerbate vasoconstriction and further compromise blood flow to the affected tissues. Warm compresses or warm baths might be more appropriate to promote vasodilation and alleviate pain.
Choice D rationale:
Administer meperidine to eliminate a fever. Rationale: Administering meperidine solely to eliminate a fever is not the primary focus of care for a vaso-occlusive crisis. The priority is to manage pain and improve tissue perfusion. Meperidine is an opioid analgesic that can be used to manage severe pain associated with sickle cell crises, but it should be given with caution due to the risk of respiratory depression and the potential for addiction.