An infant with a diagnosis of hydrocephalus is scheduled for surgery. Which is the priority nursing intervention in the preoperative period?

A. Elevate the extremity on pillows for the first 24 to 48 hours after casting to prevent swelling.
Explanation: Elevating the extremity can help reduce swelling, especially in the initial period after casting.
B. Place a heating pad on the lower end of the cast and over the fingers if the fingers feel cold.
Explanation: Applying heat can increase the risk of burns and is not recommended. If the fingers feel cold, it may indicate a circulation issue, and the healthcare provider should be contacted.
C. Keep small toys and sharp objects away from the cast.
Explanation: Keeping small toys and sharp objects away from the cast is important to prevent injury or damage to the cast.
D. Use a padded ruler or another padded object to scratch the skin under the cast if it itches.
Explanation: Inserting objects under the cast can lead to complications, including skin damage or infection. It is advisable not to insert anything into the cast.
E. Use the fingertips to lift the cast while it is drying.
Explanation: Lifting or manipulating the cast during the drying process can compromise its integrity and should be avoided. The cast needs to dry completely to provide proper support and immobilization.
F. Contact the primary health care provider (PHCP) if the child complains of numbness or tingling in the extremity.
Explanation: Numbness or tingling can indicate a circulation problem, and it is important to contact the healthcare provider for further assessment.

A. "Newborns are abdominal breathers."
Explanation: While it is true that newborns primarily use their diaphragms for breathing (abdominal breathing), this statement does not specifically address why the respiratory rate should be counted for a full minute.
B. "Activity will increase the respiratory rate."
Explanation: This statement acknowledges that activity can influence the respiratory rate but does not specifically address the need to count for a full minute to capture the irregular patterns.
C. "Newborns do not expand their lungs fully with each respiration."
Explanation: This statement highlights a characteristic of newborn respiratory physiology but does not specifically explain the importance of counting the respiratory rate for a full minute.
D. "The rate and rhythm of breath are irregular in newborns."
Explanation:
Newborns often have irregular breathing patterns, and counting the respiratory rate for a full minute helps capture the variations in rate and rhythm accurately. Newborns may experience periods of rapid breathing followed by periods of slower breathing, and their respiratory patterns can be influenced by sleep-wake cycles, feeding, and other factors. Counting for a full minute provides a more comprehensive and representative assessment of the newborn's respiratory status.