Which information should the nurse include when completing discharge instructions for the parents of a 12-month-old child diagnosed with Kawasaki disease and being discharged home?

Which information should the nurse include when completing discharge instructions for the parents of a 12-month-old child diagnosed with Kawasaki disease and being discharged home?

• A. Offer the child extra fluids every 2 hours for 2 weeks
• B. Take the child's temperature daily for several days
• C. Check the child's BP daily until follow-up appointment
• D. Call the healthcare provider if the irritability lasts for more than 2 weeks

Answer: (B)

Monitoring for fever after discharge is essential because fever can signal ongoing inflammation or a relapse after Kawasaki disease, and early detection helps prevent cardiac complications such as coronary artery involvement. Asking parents to take the child’s temperature daily for several days provides a simple, reliable way to catch a return of fever early and seek timely care. Hydration is important, but the specific instruction to offer extra fluids every 2 hours for 2 weeks isn’t a standard or practical discharge directive and doesn’t directly address safety concerns tied to Kawasaki disease recovery. Daily blood pressure checks aren’t typically required for home care after Kawasaki disease, as this isn’t a routine indicator of recovery in most toddlers. Irritability can occur during recovery, but using duration of irritability as a discharge trigger isn’t as critical or clear a marker as fever recurrence for detecting potential complications.

Monitoring for fever after discharge is essential because fever can signal ongoing inflammation or a relapse after Kawasaki disease, and early detection helps prevent cardiac complications such as coronary artery involvement. Asking parents to take the child’s temperature daily for several days provides a simple, reliable way to catch a return of fever early and seek timely care.

Hydration is important, but the specific instruction to offer extra fluids every 2 hours for 2 weeks isn’t a standard or practical discharge directive and doesn’t directly address safety concerns tied to Kawasaki disease recovery. Daily blood pressure checks aren’t typically required for home care after Kawasaki disease, as this isn’t a routine indicator of recovery in most toddlers. Irritability can occur during recovery, but using duration of irritability as a discharge trigger isn’t as critical or clear a marker as fever recurrence for detecting potential complications.