Which parent education would the nurse provide when caring for their child with cerebral palsy?

Choice A rationale While cognitive development is important, cerebral palsy (CP) is fundamentally a disorder of movement and posture. The primary educational focus must be on managing the motor impairments, spasticity, and associated musculoskeletal issues like contractures, which directly impact the child's daily function and quality of life, making motor skill preservation the priority. Choice B rationale Cerebral palsy frequently causes spasticity, which is an increase in muscle tone. If left untreated, this excessive tone leads to muscle shortening and fibrosis around the joints. Preserving the range of motion and preventing joint contractures with therapeutic positioning, stretching, and splinting is essential to maintain mobility, function, and prevent fixed deformities of the joints. Choice C rationale Maintaining immobility of the limbs with splints is incorrect and detrimental. Splints and orthotics are used in CP to prevent contractures and support proper alignment, but they must be combined with active and passive range-of-motion exercises to maintain joint flexibility and muscle length, not to immobilize the limbs entirely, which would worsen contractures. Choice D rationale Swallowing and feeding difficulties are common in CP due to poor muscle control. While special formulas or modified food textures may be needed to ensure adequate nutrition and prevent aspiration, the primary intervention is often postural changes and specific feeding techniques, not just offering a special formula, and the major physical priority is muscle and joint management. .