Final answer:
The nurse should discuss with the parent the health hazards associated with secondhand smoke, particularly for children, including increased risks for respiratory infections, SIDS, and asthma, and urge measures to minimize the child's exposure.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a parent brings a toddler into the clinic with clothing that has a strong odor of cigarette smoke, it is essential to discuss the potential health hazards associated with secondhand smoke. The nurse should inform the parent that secondhand smoke may cause numerous health-related problems, specifically highlighting how children are especially vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke in children can lead to a larger number of lower respiratory infections, a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), more frequent ear infections, and worsening symptoms of asthma. Furthermore, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke; it is a carcinogen that contains over 7,000 harmful chemicals, with at least 250 known to be toxic to human health. Nicotine, while not directly causing most health risks associated with secondhand smoke, is a highly addictive substance that complicates efforts to quit smoking. Therefore, it is crucial to communicate the significant risks and encourage the parents to minimize their child's exposure to tobacco smoke to protect their child's health.