A nurse is teaching the parents of an infant how to administer antibiotic eardrops. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): Reduce stomach acid production, which minimizes esophageal irritation and promotes healing.
B. H2-receptor antagonists: Decrease acid production in the stomach and are commonly used for GER.
C. Adrenergic bronchodilator: Used for respiratory issues, not GER or pyloric stenosis.
D. Antiviral: No evidence of a viral infection in this scenario.
E. Antispasmodic: Not indicated for GER or pyloric stenosis management.

Condition Most Likely Experiencing: Bronchiolitis

The infant's symptoms—fever, cough, nasal congestion, wheezing, nasal flaring, intercostal retractions, and difficulty feeding—are characteristic of bronchiolitis, commonly caused by RSV in infants.

Actions to Take:

• Administer Oxygen via nasal cannula: The infant's low oxygen saturation (88% on room air) and respiratory distress (nasal flaring, retractions) indicate the need for supplemental oxygen to ensure adequate oxygenation and reduce respiratory distress.
• Suction nares with a bulb aspirator: Suctioning the infant’s nasal passages helps clear mucus and improve breathing. Infants with RSV often have significant nasal congestion that can impair feeding and breathing, so clearing the airways is crucial for respiratory management.

Parameters to Monitor:

• Oxygen saturation via continuous pulse oximetry: Monitoring oxygen saturation provides critical information on the infant’s respiratory status and helps assess the effectiveness of oxygen therapy.
• Respiratory effort and breath sounds: The infant is showing signs of increased respiratory effort (e.g., nasal flaring, intercostal retractions) and abnormal breath sounds (e.g., wheezes). Monitoring these parameters helps assess the severity of respiratory distress and guides further interventions.