A child with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt complains of headache and blurry vision and now experiences irritability and sleeping more than usual. The parents ask the nurse what they should do. Select the nurse's best response.

Choice A reason: Administering acetaminophen may mask symptoms of shunt malfunction, such as headache, without addressing the underlying issue. Increased intracranial pressure from a blocked shunt can cause rapid neurological deterioration, requiring urgent evaluation to prevent brain damage or death, making this response inadequate. Choice B reason: Headache, blurry vision, irritability, and lethargy suggest shunt malfunction, potentially causing increased intracranial pressure due to cerebrospinal fluid buildup. Immediate emergency department evaluation is critical to assess shunt function, prevent herniation, and initiate interventions like shunt revision to restore normal cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Choice C reason: Attributing symptoms to menstrual cycles is inappropriate, as headache, blurry vision, and lethargy indicate possible shunt malfunction. Hormonal changes do not typically cause these neurological symptoms, and delaying care risks severe complications like brain herniation due to increased intracranial pressure. Choice D reason: Dismissing symptoms because the shunt has functioned for 9 years is dangerous. Shunts can fail at any time due to blockage or infection, causing increased intracranial pressure. Symptoms like headache and blurry vision require urgent evaluation to prevent irreversible neurological damage or death.