When is the best age for solid food to be introduced into the ...

[MirandaLo]

When is the best age for solid food to be introduced into the infant's diet?
 
  a. 2 to 3 months c. When birth weight has tripled
  b. 4 to 6 months d. When tooth eruption has started

Question 2

Latasha is a breastfed infant being seen in the clinic for her 6-month checkup. Her mother tells the nurse that Latasha recently began to suck her thumb. The best nursing intervention is to:
 
  a. Recommend that the mother substitute a pacifier for Latasha's thumb.
  b. Assess Latasha for other signs of sensory deprivation.
  c. Reassure the mother that this is very normal at this age.
  d. Suggest that the mother breastfeed Latasha more often to satisfy sucking needs.

[dyrone]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Physiologically and developmentally, the 4- to 6-month-old is in a transition period. The extrusion reflex has disappeared, and swallowing is a more coordinated process. In addition, the gastrointestinal tract has matured sufficiently to handle more complex nutrients and is less sensitive to potentially allergenic food. Infants of this age will try to help during feeding. Two to 3 months is too young. The extrusion reflex is strong, and the infant will push food out with the tongue. No research base indicates that the addition of solid food to bottle-feeding has any benefit. Tooth eruption can facilitate biting and chewing; most infant foods do not require this ability.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Sucking is an infant's chief pleasure, and she may not be satisfied by bottle-feeding or breastfeeding alone. During infancy and early childhood, there is no need to restrict nonnutritive sucking. Dental damage does not appear to occur unless the use of the pacifier or finger persists after age 4 to 6 years. The nurse should explore with the mother her feelings about pacifier vs. thumb. This is a normal behavior to meet nonnutritive sucking needs. No data support that Latasha has sensory deprivation.

[MirandaLo]

Excellent

[ktidd]

Gracias!