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After providing discharge teaching for the parents of a child who has undergone a cardiac catheterization, the nurse determines that additional teaching is necessary based on which statement by the parents?

A) We'll put on a new dressing tomorrow, covering it with plastic if it might get wet.
B) If there is any redness or swelling at the site, we'll call the doctor right away.
C) We can give him a tub bath tomorrow after we remove the pressure dressing.
D) We need to call the doctor if his temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher.

User Ardiien
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Final answer:

Additional teaching is necessary for the parents of a child who has undergone a cardiac catheterization if they believe the child can have a tub bath the day after removing the pressure dressing. Keeping the site dry is crucial to prevent infections after such a procedure. A clear understanding of post-procedural care is vital to reduce the risk of complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

After providing discharge teaching for the parents of a child who has undergone a cardiac catheterization, additional teaching is necessary if the parents make the statement: C) We can give him a tub bath tomorrow after we remove the pressure dressing. This is because after a cardiac catheterization, it is important to keep the site where the catheter was inserted dry to prevent infection. Parents should avoid giving their child a tub bath or allowing the site to be submerged in water until it has properly healed and they have been instructed it is safe to do so by a healthcare professional.

It is critical to emphasize the importance of preventing infections, which can lead to complications such as localized infections, as evidenced in the clinical focus with Barbara experiencing redness and warmth at the catheter site. Infections can escalate quickly, potentially leading to severe conditions such as necrotizing fasciitis or sepsis, both of which can have dire outcomes if not promptly and appropriately treated.

Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to ensure all post-procedural instructions, including wound care and activities restrictions, are clearly understood by patients or their caregivers to promote optimal recovery and minimize the risk of complications.

User Thiago Falcao
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