This is an 11-month-old male with a 2-day history of fussiness, increased nasal secretions, and cough. The baby is 24.3 lb. (11 kg). He was born at 34 weeks gestation and spent several weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit for poor feeding.

He is currently up to date on vaccinations and is meeting appropriate developmental milestones. The parents deny that he takes any medications at home.

Review H and P and flow sheet.

Select which assessment findings indicate that the baby has an increased fluid requirement. Select all that apply.

The correct answer is Choice C: “This must be a very difficult time for you.”

Choice A rationale: Telling the parent “You didn’t do anything wrong” might seem comforting, but it doesn’t address the parent’s feelings of guilt or responsibility.It’s important to remember that myelomeningocele is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not develop completely1.It’s often not known why this happens, but it can be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors2. Therefore, it’s not something the parent did or didn’t do.

Choice B rationale: Asking “Is there any particular reason why you think this is your fault?” could potentially lead to a constructive conversation. However, it might also make the parent feel defensive or as if they need to justify their feelings. It’s crucial to approach this situation with empathy and understanding, acknowledging the parent’s feelings without making them feel judged.

Choice C rationale: Saying “This must be a very difficult time for you” is the most helpful response because it acknowledges the parent’s feelings and offers empathy. It doesn’t place blame or make assumptions. Instead, it opens up a space for the parent to express their feelings and concerns.

Choice D rationale: While it’s true that surgery can help manage the condition1, saying “With surgery, your baby should have a full recovery” might be misleading.Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida and can cause moderate to severe disabilities, such as muscle weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, and/or paralysis2. Each case is unique, and while some children may have less severe symptoms, others may require lifelong management. It’s important to provide accurate and realistic information.

Remember, it’s essential to approach these conversations with empathy and understanding. Parents dealing with a diagnosis of myelomeningocele are likely experiencing a range of emotions, and they need support and accurate information.

In this scenario, the client is experiencing difficulty falling asleep at night, fatigue, and daytime sleepiness. These symptoms may indicate that the client's exercise routine is impacting their sleep patterns. By asking the client for a description of their exercise schedule, the nurse can gather important information about the timing, intensity, and duration of the client's exercise regimen.

Exercise has numerous benefits for sleep and overall health, but the timing and intensity of exercise can affect sleep patterns differently for individuals. Vigorous exercise close to bedtime may increase alertness and make it harder for some people to fall asleep.

Therefore, understanding the client's exercise routine will help the nurse assess if the timing or intensity of the exercise is contributing to the sleep issues.

Based on the information gathered, the nurse can provide appropriate guidance. This may include adjusting the timing of exercise to earlier in the day, reducing the intensity of exercise closer to bedtime, or considering other factors that may be contributing to the sleep difficulties, such as caffeine intake, stress, or environmental factors.