Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

Which of the following is a recommended home safety tip for parents of infants?

1. Use a wheeled infant walker.

2. Secure a safety gate at the top and bottom of the stairs.

3. Place soft pillows around the edge of the infant's crib.

4. Maintain the water heater temperature at 49° C (120° F).

The correct answer is: Secure a safety gate at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Securing a safety gate at the top and bottom of the stairs is a vital home safety measure for parents of infants. As infants begin to crawl and eventually walk, they become increasingly mobile and curious, which raises the risk of accidents, particularly around stairs. Safety gates provide a critical barrier to help prevent falls, which can lead to serious injuries. This safety practice aligns with guidelines from pediatric health organizations that emphasize the importance of creating a safe environment to reduce the risk of falls and injuries in young children. Properly installing gates can help ensure that infants remain in safe areas of the home, allowing parents some peace of mind as their children explore. Other options suggest practices that pose risks or are not advisable. Using a wheeled infant walker can actually increase the risk of falls and accidents, as it allows infants to move around quickly and reach dangerous areas. Placing soft pillows around the edges of a crib can create suffocation hazards, which is contrary to safe sleep practices recommended for infants. Finally, maintaining a water heater temperature of 49° C (120° F) increases the risk of scald burns; pediatric recommendations typically suggest keeping standing water at a lower temperature (around 37.8° C or 100° F) for safety reasons