A pre-school age child with a congenital heart defect is brought to the clinic by the parent because of a fever and an earache. During the assessment, the parent asks the nurse why the child is at the 5th percentile for weight and height for age. Which response is best for the nurse to provide?

A. Check the temperature of the humidified oxygen attached to the ventilator: The client is intubated and receiving humidified oxygen. If the oxygen is cold, it can contribute to hypothermia. Ensuring that the humidified oxygen is at an appropriate temperature will help prevent further heat loss.

B. Instill warm fluids in the nasogastric tube: Instilling warm fluids via a nasogastric tube is not a standard or efficient method for core rewarming in a hypothermic trauma client. It introduces a risk of aspiration and is less effective than other core rewarming techniques.

C. Microwave a pack of gauze and distribute across the body: Microwaving a pack of gauze is not a safe or controlled method to warm the body. It could result in burns or uneven heat distribution, which could be harmful.

D. Place ice packs around the client's head: Ice packs are typically used to lower body temperature, not raise it. Applying ice packs would worsen the hypothermia and is inappropriate in this case.

E. Apply warm blankets: Warm blankets are a common and effective method to increase body temperature in hypothermic patients. This will help promote heat retention and stabilize the patient's body temperature.

F. Use a fluid warmer for intravenous fluids: Cold intravenous fluids can lower body temperature further. A fluid warmer ensures that fluids are administered at body temperature, helping to prevent hypothermia.

G. Administer intravenous fluids with a rapid infuser: While rapid fluid administration is important for hemodynamic stabilization in trauma patients, it does not directly address body temperature. Without a warmer, rapid infusers can contribute to further cooling.

H. Administer an antipyretic: Antipyretics are used to reduce fever, but there is no indication that the client has a fever. The concern here is hypothermia, not an elevated temperature, so antipyretics would not be appropriate in this situation.

A. Offer the client to move to a quiet room first: Changing the environment may reduce distractions, but it does not directly support the client’s immediate attempt to communicate. The priority is to respond to the client’s active effort to speak in the moment.

B. Allow the client time to complete her sentence: Allowing extra time promotes autonomy, reduces frustration, and respects the communication process for clients with aphasia. It gives the client space to formulate thoughts without pressure or interruption, which supports language recovery and expression.

C. Pull up a chair and sit quietly with the client: Sitting quietly can offer emotional support, but it may be perceived as passive when the client is actively trying to communicate. The nurse should take a facilitative role by giving the client time to speak, rather than only offering silent presence.

D. Provide a list of phrases to express herself properly: Providing phrases may overwhelm or confuse the client, especially during spontaneous attempts to speak. Aphasia affects word retrieval, and prompting with choices may interrupt the client's cognitive effort.