Which health teaching concept should the nurse emphasize when instructing the parents of a child with polycythemia caused by a congenital heart disorder?

A. Coughing helps to clear mucus from the airways, and suppressing it can lead to complications such as mucus buildup and infection.

B. Antibiotics are not prescribed for viral infections like the common cold unless there is a secondary bacterial infection.

C. Ear pulling may indicate ear discomfort or infection, but it is not a typical response to nasopharyngitis alone.

D. It is normal for young children to have multiple colds per year due to their developing immune systems.

A. While the child’s oral intake is reduced, it is not as immediately critical as the other findings. However, it should still be monitored and managed.

B. The child’s blood pressure has dropped to 88/48 mm Hg on Day 3, which is significantly lower than the initial value and may indicate hypotension. This could be a sign of worsening condition or dehydration and needs to be reported for further evaluation and intervention.

C. The temperature of 38.1° C (100.6° F) on Day 3 indicates a fever but is lower than the initial admission temperature. It is important but not as critical as the other findings in this scenario.

D. The oxygen saturation has decreased to 88% on room air, which is below the normal range and indicates hypoxemia. This is critical in a patient with pneumonia and cystic fibrosis, and it requires immediate attention to manage respiratory function and oxygenation.

E. The child has passed three large, frothy, foul-smelling stools, which could be indicative of a gastrointestinal complication, possibly related to cystic fibrosis. This change in bowel habits should be reported as it may impact the child’s overall condition and treatment plan.

F. The sputum is thick, yellow, and blood-streaked, which is consistent with the condition but does not require immediate reporting unless there is a significant change in color or consistency.

G. The reported pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 is moderate but not life-threatening. It should be managed, but it is less urgent compared to other assessment findings.

H. The child is using accessory muscles for respiration and is experiencing dyspnea while at rest, which suggests worsening respiratory distress. This is crucial to report as it reflects the severity of the pneumonia and may need adjustments in the treatment plan.