A nurse is teaching participants at a community center about advance directives. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason: Supplementing breastfeedings with water every 12 hours is not advised for newborns, as breast milk provides complete hydration and nutrition. Water can reduce milk intake, decreasing supply due to reduced demand. It risks electrolyte imbalances, like hyponatremia, in infants with immature kidneys. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months supports optimal growth, immune function, and maternal-infant bonding, making this recommendation inappropriate.
Choice B reason: Offering the breast at hunger cues, such as rooting or hand-sucking, supports demand-driven breastfeeding, which stimulates prolactin and oxytocin for milk production. This ensures adequate supply, promotes healthy weight gain, and aligns with the infant’s natural feeding rhythm. It prevents over- or under-feeding, fostering neonatal development and strengthening the maternal-infant bond, making this the correct advice.
Choice C reason: Limiting feeding to 10 minutes per breast can prevent adequate hindmilk transfer, which is high in fat and calories, essential for growth. Short sessions may reduce milk supply due to insufficient stimulation. Infants need variable feeding times to meet nutritional needs. This restriction risks poor weight gain and inadequate nutrition, indicating it’s not a suitable recommendation.
Choice D reason: Starting each feeding with the same breast can cause imbalanced milk production, as one breast may be understimulated, reducing overall supply. Alternating breasts ensures both are drained, supporting balanced lactation and preventing engorgement or mastitis. This practice maintains milk supply via prolactin release, making this advice incorrect for optimal breastfeeding.

Choice A reason: Limiting potassium intake is dangerous with digoxin, as low potassium (hypokalemia) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity by enhancing drug binding to cardiac cells. Adequate potassium levels are critical for safe use, as digoxin affects cardiac contractility, making this instruction incorrect and potentially harmful.
Choice B reason: Repeating a digoxin dose if the child vomits within 1 hour is unsafe without medical consultation, as it risks overdose. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, and toxicity can cause arrhythmias. Parents should contact the provider for guidance, making this instruction incorrect and dangerous.
Choice C reason: Adding digoxin to juice risks inaccurate dosing, as the child may not consume the full amount, leading to underdosing or toxicity if additional doses are given. Precise administration (e.g., via syringe) ensures correct dosing, critical for digoxin’s narrow therapeutic range, making this instruction inappropriate.
Choice D reason: Having the child drink water after digoxin ensures the dose is fully swallowed, preventing loss from spitting or incomplete ingestion. This supports accurate dosing, essential for digoxin’s safe use in heart failure, where it enhances cardiac output. This instruction is safe and effective, making it correct.