A nurse is caring for a child who has acute glomerulonephritis. Which of the following actions is the nurse’s priority?
A.
Maintain a saline-lock.
B.
Check the child’s day weight
C.
Place the child on a no-salt-added diet.
D.
Educate the parents about potential complications
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
For a child with acute glomerulonephritis, the priority action for the nurse is:
B. Check the child’s daily weight
Explanation
Acute glomerulonephritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys, which can lead to various symptoms including edema, hypertension, and altered kidney function. Managing fluid balance and monitoring the child’s weight is crucial for several reasons:
- Fluid Retention and Edema: Acute glomerulonephritis often results in fluid retention due to decreased kidney function. This can cause edema (swelling) in various parts of the body. Regular monitoring of the child’s weight helps assess fluid status and detect any significant changes promptly. Weight gain can indicate fluid retention, which requires intervention to prevent complications such as pulmonary edema or worsening hypertension.
- Assessment of Treatment Efficacy: Daily weight measurements help evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plan, including diuretics and dietary modifications. If the child is gaining weight despite treatment, it may indicate that the current management plan is not sufficiently controlling fluid retention.
- Guiding Interventions: Monitoring weight helps guide adjustments in the child’s treatment plan. For instance, if significant weight gain is observed, the nurse might need to adjust fluid intake, medication, or dietary restrictions to manage the child’s condition effectively.
While maintaining a saline lock (Option A), placing the child on a no-salt-added diet (Option C), and educating the parents (Option D) are all important aspects of care, they are secondary to the immediate need for accurate and regular assessment of fluid balance. A saline-lock is primarily for access, and dietary adjustments are part of managing the condition but do not provide immediate information about fluid status. Education is essential for long-term management but does not address the immediate clinical needs of fluid balance.
In summary, the priority is to check the child’s daily weight to monitor fluid status and guide appropriate management in the context of acute glomerulonephritis. This approach is crucial in preventing complications and ensuring the effective management of the child’s condition.