An infant has undergone surgical repair of her myelomeningocele and is returned to the pediatric unit. Her mother tearfully says to the nurse, "I wish I could hold my baby.”. Which nursing action would be most appropriate?

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring the cast daily for foul odors is a proper action to identify potential infection.

Choice B rationale:

Bringing the child for frequent checkups to the clinic is important to ensure the cast is healing properly.

Choice C rationale:

Using the cast stabilizing bar to turn the child can be concerning. There's no mention of a cast stabilizing bar, so this statement suggests a lack of understanding or misinformation.

Choice D rationale:

Massaging the skin around the edges of the child's cast can help prevent skin irritation, so it's an appropriate action.

Choice A rationale:

Returning to the hospital if the child spits up blood is a correct response as it indicates the recognition of potential postoperative bleeding.

Choice B rationale:

Giving the child cherry gelatin, even though it's the child's favorite, might not be appropriate after a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy, as certain foods can irritate the healing throat.

Choice C rationale:

Returning to the hospital if the child develops difficulty breathing is a necessary step to address any respiratory distress.

Choice D rationale:

Having the child rinse her mouth frequently with water to prevent a bad breath odor is a suitable suggestion to maintain oral hygiene and comfort after surgery. In all three scenarios, the rationale for the correct answers revolves around patient safety, comfort, and appropriate post-operative care. The incorrect choices in each question either introduce potential complications, misunderstandings, or actions that might compromise the patient's well-being.