Which home care instructions would the nurse provide to the parent of a child with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)? Select all that apply.

A. "Carry a water bottle with me because I drink a lot of water."
Explanation: Staying hydrated is crucial, especially for individuals with paralysis who may be prone to urinary issues. Carrying a water bottle is a good practice to maintain adequate hydration.
B. "Use a suppository every night to have a bowel movement."
Explanation: Using a suppository for regular bowel movements is a positive self-care behavior. It helps manage bowel care, which is important for individuals with paralysis.
C. "I do wheelchair exercises while watching TV."
Explanation: Engaging in wheelchair exercises to maintain mobility is a positive self-care behavior. It helps prevent complications related to being sedentary, such as muscle atrophy.
D. "I only need to catheterize myself twice every day."
Explanation: This statement may indicate a need for further teaching. Individuals with paralysis, especially due to conditions like spina bifida, often have neurogenic bladder dysfunction. They typically require more frequent catheterization, potentially every 4-6 hours, to ensure adequate bladder emptying and reduce the risk of complications like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder infections.

A. The child needs to avoid exposure to other illnesses.
Explanation: Children with AIDS have compromised immune systems and are more susceptible to infections. Therefore, it is important to minimize exposure to other illnesses to reduce the risk of infections.
B. Frequent handwashing is important.
Explanation: Good hand hygiene helps prevent the spread of infections. Encouraging frequent handwashing is crucial in the care of a child with AIDS.
C. Clean up body fluid spills with bleach solution (10:1 ratio of water to bleach).
Explanation: Using a bleach solution to clean up body fluid spills helps to disinfect and reduce the risk of transmission of infections. The recommended ratio is 10 parts water to 1 part bleach.
D. Monitor the child's weight.
Explanation: Monitoring the child's weight is important for assessing nutritional status and overall health. Weight loss may indicate underlying health issues that need attention.
E. The child's immunization schedule will need revision.
Explanation: Children with AIDS may have altered immune function, but the need for immunizations is still crucial. However, live vaccines may need to be avoided. The immunization schedule should be discussed and individualized with the healthcare provider.
F. Fever, malaise, fatigue, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea are expected to occur and do not require special intervention.
Explanation: While these symptoms may occur, they should not be dismissed without evaluation. Any changes in the child's health, including symptoms such as fever, malaise, fatigue, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea, should be reported to the healthcare provider for appropriate assessment and intervention.