Latex allergy is suspected in a child with spina bifida. What intervention should be included in the child's plan of care?

A. Teaching the family about long-term management of asthma is incorrect because asthma management is not directly related to latex allergy, although children with latex allergy may have an increased risk of atopy. The focus should be on latex avoidance. B. Avoiding using any latex product is correct. Children with spina bifida are at high risk for latex allergy due to frequent surgical procedures and exposure to latex-containing medical products. Complete avoidance of latex in medical equipment, gloves, toys, and household items is the most important preventive intervention to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis or allergic reactions. C. Administering medication for long-term desensitization is incorrect because there is currently no safe or standard desensitization therapy for latex allergy. Management focuses on prevention and avoidance. D. Using only nonallergenic latex products is partially misleading. There is no guarantee that “nonallergenic” latex products are completely safe; therefore, latex-free alternatives should be used instead of relying on “nonallergenic” labels.