A nurse is providing education for the parents of an infant wearing a Pavlik harness. What education would the nurse provide?

Choice A rationale The Pavlik harness is used to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) by maintaining the hips in a position of flexion and abduction, promoting the stable seating of the femoral head in the acetabulum. The harness must be worn constantly, ideally 23 to 24 hours a day, and should only be removed briefly for bathing, which optimizes the time spent in the corrective position to reshape the hip socket. Choice B rationale Removing the harness for 15 minutes every 2 hours would significantly reduce the total time the hip is held in the therapeutic position, thus compromising the efficacy of the treatment for DDH and delaying the desired anatomical correction. The goal is continuous wear to ensure consistent hip positioning unless specifically directed otherwise by the orthopedic provider. Choice C rationale Placing the infant side-lying to sleep is discouraged while in a Pavlik harness because this position can place unnecessary pressure on the knee and hip joints, potentially altering the correct hip alignment or causing skin breakdown. Infants should be placed on their back, which is also the recommended position for safe sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Choice D rationale Positioning the infant's hips straight is incorrect, as this is the anatomical position of adduction and extension that the Pavlik harness is specifically designed to avoid. Straight positioning, or adduction, can lead to subluxation or dislocation of the hip in DDH; the harness ensures the hips are maintained in flexion and abduction to promote reduction.