When starting a peripheral intravenous (IV) infusion on an infant, which intervention should the nurse implement?

Peripheral intravenous (IV) infusion is a common procedure performed on infants in a hospital setting. The selection of the IV site is critical to ensure proper placement and to prevent complications.

When starting a peripheral IV infusion on an infant, the nurse should select a site that is least restrictive to the infant. This involves selecting a site that will not restrict the infant's movement and cause discomfort. The site should be accessible, visible, and easily palpable, such as the hand, wrist, or antecubital fossa.

Assessing the dorsal surface of the feet for an IV site is not recommended as it is an area of high risk for infiltration and may restrict the infant's movement.

Instructing parents to sing or croon to the infant may provide comfort and distraction, but it is not a critical intervention when starting a peripheral IV infusion.

Applying soft restraints to all four extremities is not recommended as it may cause physical and emotional distress to the infant. It should only be used as a last resort if the infant is at high risk of self-injury or if the procedure cannot be safely performed without restraints.

Therefore, the nurse should implement the intervention of selecting a site that is least restrictive to the infant when starting a peripheral IV infusion.

Acute rheumatic fever is a serious inflammatory condition that can develop after a streptococcal infection, particularly if the infection is not treated or resolved properly. The most common initial symptom of acute rheumatic fever is a sore throat, which is usually accompanied by a fever and swollen lymph nodes.

While mumps, chickenpox, and influenza are all infectious diseases, they are not directly linked to the development of acute rheumatic fever. However, a recent or untreated streptococcal infection (such as strep throat) can lead to the development of acute rheumatic fever.

Therefore, when obtaining a health history from a child with a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever, it is most significant to inquire about recent or untreated sore throat, as this is the most likely cause of the condition.