A 10-year-old child with a distal femoral fracture involving the growth plate is admitted for treatment. Which nursing action should be prioritized to prevent long-term complications related to growth disturbances?

instruct the child to avoid weight-bearing activities indefinitely to prevent fracture displacement.

Assure the parents that damage to the growth plate will not affect the length or shape of the child's limb.

Explain that the fracture will heal at the same rate as an adult fracture regardless of age or growth plate involvement.

Educate the family on the importance of follow-up visits for growth assessment and early detection of limb length discrepancies.