Which activity is most appropriate for developing fine motor skills in the school-age child?

The correct answer is choice C. Dyspnea.

Choice A rationale:

Orthopnea. Orthopnea refers to difficulty in breathing that occurs when lying flat. It is not the term used to describe labored breathing, which is the main concern in this question.

Choice B rationale:

Hypopnea. Hypopnea is a term used to describe shallow or slow breathing, usually during sleep. It is not the term used to describe the labored breathing mentioned in the question.

Choice C rationale:

Dyspnea. This is the correct term to describe labored breathing, which is characterized by a subjective sensation of discomfort or difficulty in breathing. In this context, the nurse is charting that the hospitalized child has labored breathing, indicating the need for further assessment and intervention to address this breathing difficulty.

Choice D rationale:

Tachypnea. Tachypnea refers to abnormally fast breathing. While it is a concern, especially in the context of a hospitalized child, it does not specifically describe labored breathing, which is the main focus of this question.

The correct answer is choice A: Avoiding use for more than 3 days.

Choice A rationale:

Recommending avoiding the use of decongestant nose drops for more than 3 days is crucial due to the risk of rebound congestion. Decongestant nose drops work by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages to alleviate congestion. Prolonged use can lead to a phenomenon known as rebound congestion, where the nasal passages become more congested once the medication wears off, causing the person to use the drops more frequently. This can result in a cycle of worsening congestion and overuse of the medication, which can be counterproductive and harmful. Limiting the use of decongestant nose drops to 3 days helps prevent this rebound effect and encourages the use of alternative treatments if congestion persists.

Choice B rationale:

Administering drops until nasal congestion subsides is not the recommended approach. Prolonged use of decongestant nose drops can lead to rebound congestion, as mentioned earlier. Using the drops until congestion subsides might extend their use beyond the safe period and increase the risk of adverse effects.

Choice C rationale:

Keeping drops to use again for nasal congestion is not advised. While it's important to follow the medication's storage instructions, relying on decongestant nose drops for recurring nasal congestion can lead to overuse and rebound congestion. This choice does not address the potential risks associated with prolonged use.

Choice D rationale:

Administering drops after feedings and at bedtime is not a standard recommendation for decongestant nose drops. The timing of administration is not a primary concern in the context of decongestant use. Instead, the focus should be on the duration of use and the potential for rebound congestion.