What discharge instruction should a nurse provide to the parents of an infant following a cheiloplasty?

Following a cheiloplasty, which is a surgical procedure to repair a cleft lip, it is essential for the wound to be cared for properly to promote healing and prevent infection. Applying a thin layer of antibiotic ointment on the suture line is a common nursing intervention because it helps to protect the sutures from bacteria that could lead to infection. Additionally, the ointment keeps the sutures moist, which is important for healing and reduces the risk of scabbing that could disrupt the healing tissue.

This care instruction supports both wound management and the overall recovery process for the infant. It's important for parents to understand this step as it encourages diligent care of the surgical site, which is crucial in the initial days following the procedure. Ensuring that the suture site is clean and protected helps minimize complications and promotes optimal healing.

The other options suggest practices that are either less relevant to post-operative care specific to the cheiloplasty or could potentially harm the infant. For instance, cleaning sutures with a chlorohexidine mixture may be overly harsh for the sensitive area, while increased swallowing may or may not be expected and could vary depending on individual recovery experiences. Inspecting the tongue for white patches every 8 hours is unnecessary for this context unless yeast infection