A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parents of a 10-week-old infant who is scheduled for surgical repair of a cleft lip. Which of the following pieces of information should the nurse include?
Explanation & Rationale
The correct answer is choice b. “Your baby will be placed in elbow restraints following surgery.” Choice A rationale: Giving a pacifier to a baby after cleft lip surgery is generally not recommended as it can put pressure on the surgical site and potentially disrupt the healing process. Choice B rationale: Elbow restraints are used to prevent the infant from touching or rubbing the surgical site, which helps in protecting the stitches and ensuring proper healing. Choice C rationale: Infants are usually allowed to have fluids by mouth soon after surgery, often within a few hours, to ensure they stay hydrated and to monitor their ability to swallow. Choice D rationale: Positioning the baby on their abdomen is not recommended as it can put pressure on the surgical site. Instead, the baby should be positioned on their back or side to avoid any pressure on the repaired lip