The nurse is discharging an 11-month-old child who was brought to the emergency room for the treatment of an ear infection and fever

Question

The nurse would include which of the following statements in the discharge teaching to the parents? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. "The baby's last bottle before bedtime should only contain water.".
2. "It is important not to prop the baby's bottle during feeding.".
3. "You must rinse the baby's mouth right after the baby falls asleep.".
4. "You must perform oral hygiene more frequently throughout the day.".
5. "The last bottle of the evening should not be given just before the baby goes to sleep.".

Answer 1

2,5
Rationale 1: "The baby's last bottle before bedtime should only contain water.". Milk should not be replaced with water because the baby may not receive enough nutrition. Bottles should not be given just before bedtime.
Rationale 2: "It is important not to prop the baby's bottle during feeding.". A primary source of ear infection in infants and small children is the practice of propping the bottle with milk or juice. The sugar in these liquids remains in the mouth and contributes to the potential for infection in the throat, which travels through the shorter, narrower, and more horizontal auditory tube.
Rationale 3: "You must rinse the baby's mouth right after the baby falls asleep.". This would not be appropriate and might be dangerous for the baby. Providing oral hygiene for children immediately before bedtime might be helpful to help reduce the risk of ear infections.
Rationale 4: "You must perform oral hygiene more frequently throughout the day.". Increasing the oral hygiene frequency throughout the day will not improve this situation if bottle propping is occurring or if the baby is given a bottle immediately prior to bedtime.
Rationale 5: "The last bottle of the evening should not be given just before the baby goes to sleep.". A major source of ear infection in infants and small children is the practice of giving the baby a bottle at bedtime. The sugar in these liquids remains in the mouth and contributes to the potential for infection in the throat, which travels through the shorter, narrower, and more horizontal auditory tube.