A nurse in a pediatric clinic is talking with a parent of a toddler. The parent tells the nurse that her toddler drinks a quart of milk a day. The nurse should recognize that the toddler is at risk for which of the following disorders?

A. Determine if the toddler is voiding: Assessing urine output is crucial for determining the child’s hydration status. Voiding is an important indicator of kidney function and fluid balance. Ensuring the child is voiding can help determine the severity of dehydration and guide further interventions.

B. Request evaluation of the toddler's serum electrolytes. Evaluating serum electrolytes is important for understanding the extent of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. However, it is not the immediate first action and should follow the initial assessment of the child's hydration status.

C. Initiate isotonic fluids with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride. Initiating fluid therapy is crucial but should only be done after assessing kidney function through urine output and evaluating the need for potassium supplementation to avoid complications like hyperkalaemia if the kidneys are not functioning properly.

D. Collect a stool sample from the toddler. Collecting a stool sample is useful for diagnosing the cause of gastroenteritis, but it is not the immediate priority. The focus should first be on assessing hydration status and initiating appropriate fluid therapy.

A. "I will immediately report irregular respirations." Irregular respirations can be normal in infants, as their breathing patterns are often irregular. Immediate reporting is not typically necessary unless there are other signs of distress.

B. "I will immediately report a respiratory rate of 28." A respiratory rate of 28 is low for a 1-month-old infant, but immediate reporting depends on the overall clinical picture and other signs of distress. Normal respiratory rates for this age are usually between 30-60 breaths per minute.

C. "I will count the baby's respirations for 30 seconds and multiply by two." While this method is used for older children and adults, it’s not ideal for infants due to their irregular breathing patterns. Counting for a full minute provides a more accurate assessment.

D. "I will count the baby's respirations by observing abdominal movements." This is correct. In infants, respiration is primarily diaphragmatic, making abdominal movements a reliable indicator of respiratory rate.