Final answer:
The family should be advised to cover the controls of the ventilator to prevent the 2-year-old child from altering the settings. Practical and secure methods like lockable covers can be effective, along with vigilant supervision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concerns expressed by the family of a 2-year-old child who is ventilator dependent are valid considering the child's developmental stage and natural curiosity. It is paramount to ensure the child's safety once they are discharged from the hospital. The nurse should provide the following guidance:
- C. Recommend ways to cover the controls to reduce the risk of the child changing settings. This can involve using lockable covers or placing the ventilator out of the child’s reach if possible. This advice is practical as children at this age are explorative and might not fully understand or remember instructions regarding the ventilator.
Furthermore, ongoing supervision is necessary, as implied in B. Explain that the child cannot be left alone because of the risk of changing settings. While teaching the child not to touch the controls as in A may offer some benefit, it's unrealistic to rely solely on this given the child's age and natural tendencies to explore. Disregarding the child's ability by assuming the child is developmentally unable to change settings as in D is risky and not recommended.