A nurse is admitting a 6-month-old infant who has dehydration. Which of the following amounts of urinary output should indicate to the nurse that the treatment has corrected the fluid imbalance?

Choice A reason: Water is not the best choice for a child who has acute gastroenteritis, as it does not contain the electrolytes and glucose that are lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Water alone can also dilute the blood sodium level and cause hyponatremia.

Choice B reason: Oral rehydration solution is the best choice for a child who has acute gastroenteritis, as it contains the optimal balance of electrolytes and glucose to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. It also helps to restore the intestinal function and prevent acidosis.

Choice C reason: Diluted apple juice is not the best choice for a child who has acute gastroenteritis, as it contains too much sugar and not enough sodium. This can worsen the diarrhea and cause hyperglycemia and hyperosmolar dehydration.

Choice D reason: Milk is not the best choice for a child who has acute gastroenteritis, as it can aggravate the intestinal inflammation and cause lactose intolerance. Milk can also increase the risk of bacterial infection and septicemia.

The correct answer is: B. I will add Polycose to each of my baby's bottles.

Choice A reason:

Allowing the baby to take as much time as needed to finish the bottle is not ideal for infants with heart failure. These infants often tire easily and may not consume enough calories if feeding sessions are prolonged. Shorter, more frequent feedings are generally recommended to ensure adequate intake without exhausting the infant.

Choice B reason:

Adding Polycose to each bottle is an effective way to increase the caloric density of the infant's feedings. Infants with heart failure have higher caloric needs due to their increased metabolic demands and may struggle to consume enough calories through regular formula or breast milk alone. Polycose, a carbohydrate supplement, helps meet these increased nutritional needs.

Choice C reason:

Feeding the baby on a schedule every 4 hours may not be sufficient for an infant with heart failure. These infants often require more frequent feedings to meet their caloric needs and to prevent fatigue during feeding. Feeding every 1-3 hours is typically recommended to ensure they receive adequate nutrition.

Choice D reason:

Limiting the baby's crying to 15 minutes prior to each feeding does not directly address the nutritional needs of an infant with heart failure. While managing crying is important to reduce energy expenditure, the focus should be on providing adequate nutrition through frequent, high-calorie feedings.