A 5-month-old child is seen in the ER with a diagnosis of croup. What should the nurse include in her teaching about helping the child's cough at night?

A. Return to the ED immediately for a cough that gets worse at night: While worsening symptoms should be monitored, mild nighttime worsening of croup is common. Immediate return to the ED is not necessary unless there are signs of respiratory distress like stridor at rest, retractions, or cyanosis. B. Take the child into a steamy hot bathroom for 15 minutes: Exposure to humidified air can help loosen mucus and reduce airway inflammation, easing the barking cough associated with croup. This home remedy is safe and effective for nighttime symptoms in mild cases. C. Give the child warm liquids to soothe the throat: Infants under 6 months should not be given liquids other than breast milk or formula unless specifically instructed by a provider. Warm liquids also pose a risk of burns or aspiration in young infants. D. Give the child over-the-counter cough suppressants: OTC cough suppressants are not recommended for children under 6 years old due to lack of proven benefit and risk of side effects. They can suppress the protective cough reflex and should be avoided in infants.