Question

The nurse is providing post-op teaching to the mother of a 15-month-old who has undergone a cleft palate repair. The nurse should tell the mother that: A. The infant must be kept supine or side lying. B. Elbow restraints will be applied to the infant's arms. C. The infant will need to be cradled instead of being carried upright. D. The infant may have a bottle or pacifier to make her more comfortable.

Short answer

Answer: Applying elbow restraints to the infant's arms to prevent accidental touching or injuring the surgical site while healing.

Step-by-step solution

Understand cleft palate repair and post-op care requirements

To answer this question, it's important to have a basic understanding of cleft palate repair surgery and the postoperative care required for a successful recovery. Cleft palate repair is a surgical procedure to correct a split (cleft) in the roof of the mouth (palate). Postoperative care involves steps to ensure the surgical site heals appropriately and the infant is comfortable.

Analyze answer option A

Option A suggests that the infant must be kept in a supine (lying on the back) or side-lying position. Post cleft palate repair surgery, it is necessary to avoid pressure on the surgical site. Keeping the infant in a supine or side-lying position will help avoid putting any direct pressure on the surgical site.

Analyze answer option B

Option B mentions the use of elbow restraints to be applied to the infant's arms. After cleft palate repair surgery, elbow restraints may be used to prevent the infant from accidentally touching or injuring the surgical site while healing, thereby promoting a more successful recovery.

Analyze answer option C

Option C indicates that the infant will need to be cradled instead of being carried upright. When carrying a postoperative cleft palate repair patient, it is essential to avoid putting any direct pressure on the surgical site. Cradling may be a recommended method to carry the infant to avoid putting direct pressure on the surgical site.

Analyze answer option D

Option D suggests that the infant may have a bottle or pacifier to make her more comfortable. Following cleft palate repair surgery, the use of bottles and pacifiers is generally not recommended, as they can cause pressure on the surgical site and potentially compromise the repair.

Choose the best answer

Based on the analysis of each answer option, we can conclude that the best answer is B. Elbow restraints will be applied to the infant's arms. This is important to prevent the infant from accidentally touching or injuring the surgical site while healing, promoting a successful recovery.