Which safety instruction would the nurse give to the parents of a child with cerebral palsy that has diminished sensation in their lower extremities?

Choice A rationale Tightening brace straps excessively on a limb with diminished sensation is dangerous because the child will not feel the discomfort of skin breakdown or pressure necrosis. While braces should be secure, overly tight straps can lead to severe tissue injury, including deep pressure ulcers, especially in clients with impaired protective sensation, requiring meticulous skin checks. Choice B rationale Having parents set a timer to turn the patient every two hours is the standard intervention for preventing pressure injuries in a non-ambulatory, bed-bound client. While important for immobility, this instruction does not directly address the risk associated with diminished sensation in the lower extremities during daily activities like bathing. Choice C rationale Testing the temperature of the water before a bath is a crucial safety instruction for a child with diminished sensation in the lower extremities. Because the child cannot feel extreme temperatures, they are at high risk for severe thermal injury (burns or frostbite). Parents must manually ensure the water is a safe, lukewarm temperature (around 100-105°F). Choice D rationale Encouraging crutch-walking to improve mobility in a child with diminished lower extremity sensation could be unsafe. Crutches require significant upper body strength and balance, and diminished sensation can lead to falls or improper weight-bearing, resulting in skin breakdown on the hands or an unsafe gait pattern. An appropriate mobility aid should be selected by a physical therapist. .