Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

What should a nurse teach a guardian about teething in an infant?

1. "Your baby might pull at their ears when they are teething."

2. "Rub your baby's gums with an aspirin to decrease discomfort."

3. "Place a beaded teething necklace around your baby's neck."

4. "Your baby's upper middle teeth will erupt first."

The correct answer is: "Your baby might pull at their ears when they are teething."

A common sign that an infant is experiencing teething discomfort is the act of pulling at their ears. This behavior is often a reflexive response that occurs when the discomfort of teething is mistaken for ear pain due to the proximity of the gums to the ears. As teeth begin to erupt through the gums, infants can feel significant discomfort and may react in various ways, including ear pulling. It's important for guardians to recognize this behavior as a possible indication of teething so they can provide appropriate care and relief measures. Other suggestions such as applying aspirin on the gums are unsafe and not recommended, as aspirin can lead to serious complications. Beaded teething necklaces also pose a choking hazard and shouldn't be used; infants should be supervised closely with any teething aids. Being informed about the typical eruption pattern of teeth can also help guardians prepare for their infant's development, but usually, the lower central incisors tend to be the first to erupt rather than the upper middle teeth.