The nurse is providing teaching to a school-age child with left femoral osteomyelitis and the child's parent prior to discharge. Which instruction should the nurse provide related to the initial phase of treatment?

During the initial phase of treatment for osteomyelitis, the nurse should instruct the child and parent to ensure that there is no weight bearing on the affected extremity. This may require the use of assistive devices such as crutches or a wheelchair. Administering topical antibiotic therapy, providing passive range of motion exercises, and scheduling ice pack applications to the infected area are not appropriate interventions during the initial phase of treatment. Topical antibiotics may be used later in the course of treatment, after the initial phase of intravenous antibiotics has been completed. Passive range of motion exercises may be appropriate during the later phases of treatment to prevent joint contractures. Ice pack applications may be appropriate for pain relief, but they are not a primary intervention for osteomyelitis.