A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a new parent who is concerned about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

The correct answer is choice A.

Choice A rationale:

Count the client's radial and apical pulses simultaneously with another nurse. Rationale: In the presence of an irregular heart rate, a pulse deficit might indicate a discrepancy between the peripheral (radial) and central (apical) pulses. Counting the pulses simultaneously with another nurse helps to accurately assess this deficit. By comparing the two pulse rates, the nurse can identify if there is a difference, which might indicate inadequate circulation or irregular heartbeats that aren't effectively transmitting to the peripheral arteries.

Choice B rationale:

Calculate the client's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. Rationale: While calculating the pulse rate for 30 seconds and then multiplying by 2 is a valid method to determine the heart rate, it doesn't address the specific concern of a pulse deficit. This approach might help in assessing the overall heart rate but doesn't provide information about potential irregularities or discrepancies between peripheral and central pulses.

Choice C rationale:

Assist the client to a side-lying position. Rationale: Assisting the client to a side-lying position doesn't directly relate to the assessment of a pulse deficit. The position of the client wouldn't significantly impact the assessment of irregular heart rates or pulse deficits.

Choice D rationale:

Auscultate the area of the client's chest over the Erb's point. Rationale: Auscultating the area of the client's chest over the Erb's point is a technique used to assess heart sounds, particularly the S2 heart sound. This technique is not relevant to assessing a pulse deficit. It can provide information about heart valve function but doesn't help in evaluating a discrepancy between peripheral and central pulses.

The correct answer is Choice C: Take vitamin D supplements.

Choice A rationale:

Reducing intake of calcium-rich foods would not be a suitable recommendation. Calcium is essential for bone health, and a client with minimal sunlight exposure is at risk of vitamin D deficiency, which affects calcium absorption. Therefore, this choice would worsen the client's situation.

Choice B rationale:

Using sunscreen with an SPF of 8 is unlikely to provide adequate protection against the harmful effects of sunlight. Moreover, the client's issue is vitamin D deficiency due to minimal sunlight exposure, and using sunscreen would further hinder vitamin D synthesis.

Choice C rationale:

Taking vitamin D supplements is the most appropriate intervention. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight, and since the client has minimal sunlight exposure, supplements are necessary to prevent vitamin D deficiency. This choice addresses the root cause of the issue.

Choice D rationale:

Using a tanning bed is not recommended for increasing vitamin D levels. Tanning beds emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can increase the risk of skin cancer. Moreover, excessive UV exposure is not a safe or controlled method for addressing vitamin D deficiency.