A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parents of an infant who has a Pavlik harness.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale:

Decreased platelets are not typically an indicator of infection. Platelet levels may decrease in conditions like thrombocytopenia, but they are not a specific indicator of infection.

Choice B rationale:

Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an indicator of infection. An elevated ESR is a nonspecific marker of inflammation in the body, which can be seen in response to infection, among other conditions.

Choice C rationale:

Decreased hemoglobin is not typically an indicator of infection. Hemoglobin levels may decrease in conditions like anemia, but they are not a specific indicator of infection.

Choice D rationale:

Increased iron levels are not typically an indicator of infection. Iron levels can vary for various reasons, but they are not a direct marker of infection.

The correct answer is Choice B: Administer the medication to the toddler each evening.

Choice B rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for the long-term management of asthma, especially in preventing nighttime symptoms. It is typically prescribed to be administered once daily in the evening to provide optimal therapeutic benefits. By instructing the parents to give the medication each evening, the nurse promotes adherence to the prescribed dosing schedule and helps maximize the medication's effectiveness in controlling the toddler's asthma symptoms.

Choice A rationale: While some medications can be mixed with juice or other liquids to make them more palatable for children, montelukast should not be dissolved in a drink. Instead, it can be mixed with a spoonful of cold, soft food, such as applesauce or ice cream, if necessary, to facilitate administration. Mixing with juice could potentially alter the medication's efficacy or create an unpleasant taste.

Choice C rationale: Montelukast is not indicated for use as a quick-relief medication prior to physical activity. It is a maintenance medication intended for long-term asthma control rather than immediate relief of acute symptoms. Providing an additional dose of montelukast before physical activity would not serve the intended purpose and could increase the risk of side effects.

Choice D rationale: Montelukast is not meant to be used as a rescue medication for acute asthma attacks. It is a long-term control medication that helps prevent asthma attacks and improve overall symptom management. For acute asthma attacks, the toddler would require a fast-acting beta-agonist or other appropriate rescue medication prescribed by their healthcare provider. Administering montelukast during an acute asthma attack would not provide the rapid relief needed to alleviate symptoms and could potentially delay appropriate treatment.