Final answer:
Parents of children with low platelet counts should avoid using rectal thermometers due to the heightened risk of bleeding. Other standard temperature measurement methods are recommended. Additionally, care should be taken with outdoor activities and medication dosages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse would teach the parents of a child with a low platelet count to avoid using rectal thermometers. This is important because children with low platelet counts are at an increased risk of bleeding, and using a rectal thermometer could cause damage to the rectal tissue and lead to bleeding. Instead, it is safer to use oral, axillary, or tympanic thermometers to take the child's temperature.
While encouraging outdoor play is usually beneficial for a child’s development, it should be supervised and activities should be chosen carefully to minimize the risk of injury and bleeding. Providing a diet rich in leafy greens may seem alarming due to the vitamin K content, which plays a role in blood clotting, but this can actually be part of a balanced diet unless otherwise indicated by a healthcare provider. As for administering acetaminophen for pain, it is generally safe for children with low platelet counts when used according to the dosing guidelines; however, care should be taken not to exceed the recommended dose, as there is a risk of liver damage.
While a diet rich in leafy greens can be beneficial for improving platelet count, it is not specified in this scenario as a potential concern. Acetaminophen can be used for pain relief in a child with a low platelet count, but it should be used with caution, following proper dosage instructions. Encouraging outdoor play does not directly impact a low platelet count and can still be encouraged as long as safety precautions are taken to minimize injury risks.