Final answer:
The nurse's teaching plan for parents of an infant with a ventricular peritoneal shunt should include calling the healthcare provider if the infant is lethargic or if the anterior fontanel bulges when the infant cries. Increased urine output is not associated with this shunt, and sleep position need not be altered due to the shunt. Parents need to be aware of signs of shunt complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Instructing the parents of an infant with a ventricular peritoneal shunt is crucial for the child's wellbeing. Among the instructions, it is essential to include that the parent should call the healthcare provider if the infant exhibits signs of lethargy. Lethargy can be an indication of a shunt malfunction or infection, both of which require immediate medical attention. It's also important to mention that bulging of the anterior fontanel when the infant cries could signal increased intracranial pressure, another sign that the healthcare provider should be notified. Parents should not expect increased urine output due to the shunt, as it drains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the abdominal cavity where it's reabsorbed by the bloodstream, not the urinary system.
The positioning of the infant during sleep is not dependent on the side of the shunt, so parents should follow standard safe sleep guidelines unless otherwise directed by their healthcare provider. It is crucial for parents to understand the importance of the balance between CSF production and removal, to monitor for signs of overdraining or underdraining, and to know how to respond to any signs of complications.