Nokea
While obtaining a health history from the mother of a 1-year-old child, the nurse notices that the baby has had a bottle in his mouth the entire time. The mother states, "It makes a great pacifier." The best response by the nurse would be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct Answer - D: "Prolonged use of a bottle can increase the risk for tooth decay and ear infections."
Rationale:
1. Prolonged bottle use can lead to tooth decay due to exposure to sugars in milk or formula.
2. The constant sucking can also cause ear infections by pushing bacteria into the Eustachian tubes.
3. It is important for the nurse to educate the mother on these risks to promote the child's health.
Summary of Other Choices:
A: Incorrect. Encouraging the mother that bottles make good pacifiers does not address the potential health risks associated with prolonged bottle use.
B: Incorrect. While it's true that bottle use may be better for teeth than thumb-sucking, it still poses risks for tooth decay and ear infections.
C: Incorrect. The contents of the bottle do not negate the risks associated with prolonged bottle use.