A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parents of a toddler who has a new diagnosis of asthma and a prescription for montelukast. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Rationale: A. Mix the medication in juice prior to administration: Montelukast can be mixed with soft foods like applesauce, but mixing it in juice is not specifically recommended due to potential taste masking and dosing accuracy issues. Instructions should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. B. Administer the medication when the toddler has an acute asthma attack: Montelukast is a maintenance medication used to prevent asthma symptoms and is not effective for treating acute asthma attacks. A rescue inhaler like albuterol should be used during acute episodes. C. Provide an additional dose of the medication prior to physical activity: Montelukast is not typically dosed in response to physical activity. While it can help prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, it should be taken once daily in the evening, not additionally before exertion. D. Administer the medication to the toddler each evening: Montelukast is prescribed as a once-daily maintenance therapy and is most effective when given in the evening. This helps maintain consistent blood levels and prevents nighttime asthma symptoms.