Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

For a 4-month-old infant prescribed nystatin for oral candidiasis, what should the nurse advise the parent?

1. Continue nystatin for 2 weeks after symptoms disappear

2. Clean the infant's pacifier every 2 days

3. Discontinue breastfeeding until the infant is symptom-free

4. Wipe the white patches from the infant's tongue using a gauze pad

The correct answer is: Continue nystatin for 2 weeks after symptoms disappear

The recommended guidance for a parent of a 4-month-old infant receiving oral nystatin for candidiasis is to continue administering the medication for a period of two weeks after symptoms have resolved. This is essential because although the visible symptoms of oral thrush may improve or disappear, the infection might still be present. Continuing treatment for an additional two weeks helps ensure that all fungal elements are eradicated, thereby reducing the risk of recurrence. Other suggestions in the context may seem relevant, but they do not align with the best practices for treating oral thrush. For instance, while cleaning the infant's pacifier regularly is a good hygiene practice, it's not as crucial as ensuring the full course of nystatin is completed. Discontinuing breastfeeding is generally unnecessary unless there are specific concerns about transmission or the mother is also infected, as nursing can continue safely during treatment. Lastly, wiping the white patches may irritate the infant's mouth and should be avoided; treatment with nystatin will address the fungal infection without the need for direct removal of the thrush lesions.