A nurse is reinforcing teaching about the administration of an otic medication with the parent of a 2-year-old toddler. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A rationale:
Maintaining oral rehydration therapy is a crucial nursing action when caring for a child with shigella, which is a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea. Oral rehydration therapy helps prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances caused by fluid loss from diarrhea. It involves giving the child oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes and fluids to replace those lost through diarrhea.
Choice B rationale:
Providing a diet high in sodium is not recommended for a child with shigella. Shigella is associated with diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms, and a high-sodium diet can worsen fluid imbalances and dehydration.
Choice C rationale:
Shigella is a bacterial infection, not a viral infection, so administering antiviral medication would not be effective or appropriate. Antiviral medications are used to treat viral infections, not bacterial ones like shigella.
Choice D rationale:
Giving antidiarrheal agents every 4 hours is not recommended for a child with shigella. Antidiarrheal agents can slow down the gastrointestinal tract and inhibit the body's natural mechanism for expelling harmful substances, such as bacteria. It's important to allow the body to eliminate the bacteria and toxins causing the infection through diarrhea, while simultaneously providing rehydration support.

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.