The nurse is teaching parents about their child newly diagnosed with cerebral palsy. What will the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason: Calling the healthcare provider is a valid action if the nurse encounters an unexpected issue or an emergency. However, in this situation, the nurse's immediate observation of physical signs indicating pain suggests that the patient might be experiencing discomfort. The nurse has enough clinical judgment to address the pain directly rather than waiting for a healthcare provider's intervention, which could delay relief.

Choice B reason: Waiting for the patient to report pain is not an ideal choice here because children, especially younger ones, may not always verbalize their pain even when they are in discomfort. The nurse's role involves assessing both verbal and non-verbal cues to provide timely and appropriate care. Physical signs such as clenched fists and a wrinkled forehead strongly indicate pain, necessitating prompt action rather than waiting.

Choice C reason: Administering intravenous morphine is the appropriate intervention given the clear physical signs of pain observed by the nurse. Morphine is a powerful opioid analgesic used to manage moderate to severe pain. In a post-surgical context, controlling pain effectively is crucial for the patient's recovery. Therefore, this action aligns with the need for timely pain management to ensure the child's comfort and facilitate healing.

Choice D reason: Instructing the parent to play relaxing music can be a helpful non-pharmacological intervention to provide a calming environment for the child. However, this action alone is unlikely to address the acute pain suggested by the patient's physical signs. While it can be part of a comprehensive pain management plan, the primary approach should be administering medication to relieve the immediate pain.

Choice A reason: While some children with cerebral palsy may have intellectual delays, it is not accurate to generalize this condition as affecting all children with cerebral palsy. The extent of intellectual involvement can vary widely. Therefore, stating this as a definite teaching point may not be appropriate for every child.

Choice B reason: Cerebral palsy is not typically considered a genetic disorder. It is most commonly caused by damage to the developing brain either during pregnancy, childbirth, or shortly after birth. Factors that contribute to cerebral palsy can include infections, lack of oxygen, and traumatic injuries, but it is not primarily a genetic condition.

Choice C reason: While cerebral palsy can impact a child's overall health and development, stating that it will shorten the child's lifespan is not necessarily true. Many individuals with cerebral palsy live into adulthood, and lifespan can vary widely depending on the severity of the condition and the presence of associated health issues.

Choice D reason: Cerebral palsy is accurately described as a non-progressive disorder. This means that while the symptoms of cerebral palsy can change over time (due to growth, development, and other factors), the underlying brain injury does not worsen. Understanding that cerebral palsy is non-progressive can help parents focus on managing symptoms and improving their child's quality of life.