A client who is in active labor is admitted with her cervix dilated to 3 cm with 50% effacement and the presenting part at 0 station. An hour later, she tells the practical nurse (PN) that she wants to go to the bathroom to empty her bladder. The nurse examines the client again and determines her vaginal exam is unchanged.

Which action should the PN implement?

A. Hematuria is the classic clinical hallmark of acute glomerulonephritis that typically prompts parents to seek medical consultation. The presence of red blood cells in the urine often results in a "cola-colored" or smoky appearance due to the leakage of erythrocytes through the inflamed glomerular basement membrane. This visual change is sudden and alarming to caregivers, serving as a primary reason for acute healthcare visits.

B. Weight loss is an unlikely finding in the initial presentation of acute glomerulonephritis. Instead, these children typically experience rapid weight gain and edema due to sodium and water retention caused by a decreased glomerular filtration rate. The clinical manifestation of fluid overload, including periorbital edema and hypertension, is much more characteristic of the acute inflammatory phase than any nutritional or fluid deficit.

C. Polydipsia, or excessive thirst, is not a typical symptom of acute glomerulonephritis and is more commonly associated with diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus. In glomerulonephritis, the renal system is struggling to filter and excrete fluid, often leading to oliguria rather than the polyuria that drives thirst. Consequently, parents would be more likely to report a decrease in urinary frequency and volume rather than increased intake.

D. A sore throat is a precursor to post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis but is usually no longer present by the time the renal symptoms manifest. The typical latency period between a Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection and the onset of kidney inflammation is approximately 1 to 3 weeks. While the history of a sore throat is diagnostically significant, the active renal symptoms like hematuria are what usually motivate the immediate visit.

The infant's symptoms are consistent with postoperative pain, which can be expected following a surgical procedure like pyloromyotomy. The PN should administer the prescribed analgesic medication to relieve the infant's discomfort and pain. It is crucial to manage pain appropriately in infants to promote healing, improve feeding tolerance, and prevent complications.

Option A is not appropriate as the infant's symptoms are not indicative of hypoglycemia.

Option C is not appropriate as the infant's symptoms do not indicate hypothermia.

Option D is not appropriate as the infant's symptoms do not indicate dehydration.