A nurse planning care for a 12-year-old with rheumatic fever should teach the parents to:

A nurse planning care for a 12-year-old with rheumatic fever should teach the parents to:

• A. Observe the child closely
• B. Allow the child to participate in activities that will not tire him
• C. Provide for adequate periods of rest between activities
• D. Encourage someone in the family to be with the child 24 hours a day

Answer: (C)

Rest and energy conservation are essential during acute rheumatic fever because the heart and body demand can be easily overwhelmed by activity. Providing adequate rest between activities helps conserve the child’s energy, reduces cardiac workload, and supports healing. Structure the day with planned quiet times and rest, followed by only light, tolerated activity, and progress gradually as symptoms improve. While ongoing monitoring by parents is important, there’s no need for someone to be with the child 24 hours a day; the goal is balanced rest and a gradual return to normal activity as directed by the healthcare team.

Rest and energy conservation are essential during acute rheumatic fever because the heart and body demand can be easily overwhelmed by activity. Providing adequate rest between activities helps conserve the child’s energy, reduces cardiac workload, and supports healing. Structure the day with planned quiet times and rest, followed by only light, tolerated activity, and progress gradually as symptoms improve. While ongoing monitoring by parents is important, there’s no need for someone to be with the child 24 hours a day; the goal is balanced rest and a gradual return to normal activity as directed by the healthcare team.