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.

Choice A rationale:

Evaluating the client for signs of infection is an important nursing action in post-procedure care, but it is not the priority immediately following an amniotomy. The primary concern after an amniotomy is fetal well-being, so monitoring the fetal heart rate is the priority.

Choice B rationale:

Checking the fetal heart rate pattern is the priority nursing action following an amniotomy. Amniotomy involves breaking the amniotic sac, which can potentially lead to changes in the fetal heart rate. Monitoring the fetal heart rate helps assess the baby's well-being and detects any signs of fetal distress.

Choice C rationale:

Observing the color and consistency of amniotic fluid is important for assessing the fluid for signs of meconium staining or infection, but it is not the immediate priority after an amniotomy. Checking the fetal heart rate takes precedence.

Choice D rationale:

Taking the client's temperature is an important part of assessing for infection or fever, but it is not the immediate priority following an amniotomy. Fetal well-being and monitoring are the primary concerns in the immediate post-amniotomy period.