The practical nurse (PN) is providing instructions to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) preparing to give a total bed bath to an immobile client who has continuous feeding via a gastrostomy tube (GT). Which instruction is most important for the PN to emphasize?

C.Place pillows around the bed rails to provide padding: During a tonic-clonic seizure, the client may experience uncontrolled movements and convulsions. Placing pillows around the bed rails helps prevent injury by providing padding and cushioning.

E.Increase the supplemental oxygen to 10 L/min via nasal cannula: The client's oxygen saturation is dangerously low at 40%. Increasing the supplemental oxygen to 10 L/min via nasal cannula will help improve oxygenation and prevent hypoxia.

F.Manually ventilate the client with a bag-valve-mask: Since the respiratory rate is only 4 breaths/min, the client is not adequately ventilating on their own. Manual ventilation with a bag-valve maskwill provide necessary oxygenation and ventilation support during the seizure.

The other options are not appropriate actions at this time:

• Begin chest compressions: Chest compressions are indicated if the client's heart has stopped or if they are in cardiac arrest. Since the scenario describes a seizure, the client's heart is presumed to be functioning.
• Watch the seizure activity and document the time and client movement: Although documentation is important, during an active seizure, the priority is to ensure the client's safety and provide immediate interventions. Documentation can be done after the seizure has ended.
• Stop the IV fluids: There is no indication to stop the IV fluids based on the given information. IV fluids are generally continued unless there is a specific reason to discontinue them.

The correct answer is C.

Choice A reason:

Repeating the heel stick for glucose in one hour is not the best first action because it delays necessary treatment and the infant's glucose could drop further, potentially causing harm.

Choice B reason:

Offering nipple feedings of 10% dextrose is not the initial treatment of choice for neonatal hypoglycemia. Oral dextrose gel may be used, but the priority is to provide a source of nutrition, such as breast milk or formula, which offers more sustained glucose levels.

Choice C reason:

Begin frequent feedings of breast milk or formula. This is the first intervention to implement because the infant's current glucose level is below the normal neonatal range of [30 to 60 mg/dL or 1.7 to 3.3 mmol/L], indicating hypoglycemia, which is common in infants of mothers with gestational diabetes. Immediate feeding can help raise the blood glucose level safely.

Choice D reason:

Assessing for signs of hypocalcemia is not the immediate priority. While hypocalcemia can occur in newborns, particularly those with maternal diabetes, the current symptoms and glucose level suggest hypoglycemia is the primary concern. Signs of hypocalcemia include irritability, muscle twitches, jitteriness, tremors, and poor feeding, which can overlap with hypoglycemia symptoms. However, the heel stick glucose level clearly indicates hypoglycemia, which should be addressed first.