A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the guardian of a newborn about measures that can be taken to minimize the risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Rationale:

A. Nystagmus: Nystagmus is characterized by involuntary eye movements and is typically associated with vestibular disorders, multiple sclerosis, or congenital conditions. It is not a symptom of macular degeneration, which primarily affects the retina.

B. Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a refractive error due to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. It is unrelated to macular degeneration, which involves degeneration of the macula—the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision.

C. Loss of central vision: Macular degeneration leads to progressive deterioration of the macula, resulting in blurred or complete loss of central vision while peripheral vision remains intact. This is a hallmark symptom and significantly affects activities like reading and recognizing faces.

D. Client reports sharp pain: Macular degeneration does not typically cause pain. It is a painless condition, and the presence of sharp eye pain may suggest another acute ocular issue such as glaucoma or injury, not related to macular changes.

Rationale:

A. "The client in room 205 has had several visitors today." This is non-essential social information that does not contribute to continuity of care or clinical decision-making. Change-of-shift reports should focus on relevant clinical updates and care plans.

B. "The client in room 204 received some pain medicine earlier today." This statement lacks specificity, such as the type, dosage, time, and client response to the medication. Without detailed clinical context, the information is not useful for ensuring safe, consistent care.

C. "The client in room 205 is scheduled for a dressing change at 1800." This provides specific, actionable information that the oncoming nurse needs to know in order to follow the treatment plan and ensure timely wound care.

D. "The client in room 203 will undergo surgery at 0900 tomorrow." This is essential procedural information that allows the next nurse to prepare the client appropriately and monitor for any pre-op needs, such as NPO status or lab work.

E. "The client in room 204 has a new prescription for IV gentamicin." This communicates a significant change in the client’s medication regimen, which may require monitoring for side effects, such as nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity, making it critical to include in report.