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. Dilated pupils: Hydromorphone, an opioid, typically causes pupil constriction (miosis), not dilation. Dilated pupils may occur in opioid overdose only as a sign of severe hypoxia, but are not a common adverse effect of appropriate therapeutic dosing.

B. Urinary retention: Urinary retention is a known adverse effect of opioids like hydromorphone. Opioids can impair bladder muscle tone and suppress the urge to void by affecting central and peripheral nervous system pathways.

C. Hypertension: Hydromorphone generally causes hypotension due to vasodilation and histamine release. Hypertension is not a typical response and would more likely suggest untreated pain or another underlying condition.

D. Tachypnea: Opioids depress the respiratory center in the brain, which can lead to bradypnea rather than tachypnea. An increase in respiratory rate is not characteristic of opioid use unless it’s a response to severe, unmanaged pain.

Rationale:

• Chronic respiratory infections: A positive sweat chloride test confirms cystic fibrosis, a condition characterized by thick mucus that obstructs airways, leading to persistent cough, wheezing, and a high risk of recurrent lung infections due to impaired mucus clearance.

• Malabsorption: Cystic fibrosis affects the pancreas by blocking enzyme flow needed for digestion. This results in poor nutrient absorption, causing symptoms like excessive hunger, weight loss despite eating well, and abdominal distension, all of which are evident in this child.

• Bone marrow failure: There are no signs of pancytopenia, anemia, or infection susceptibility that would suggest bone marrow dysfunction. Cystic fibrosis does not typically impact hematopoietic function directly.

• Hypernatremia: Although cystic fibrosis can lead to salt imbalances due to abnormal chloride transport, hypernatremia is not commonly a presenting concern unless there's severe dehydration, which is not evident here.

• Excessive weight gain: The child is losing weight despite increased appetite. Malabsorption from pancreatic insufficiency prevents weight gain in cystic fibrosis, making excessive weight gain an unlikely risk.