A nurse is assessing a dehydrated child's vital signs.
What parameters should the nurse monitor?

Communicate with the healthcare team.

To ensure comprehensive care during the treatment and management of dehydration in children, communication with the healthcare team is essential.

Here's the rationale for this choice:

Choice A rationale:

Administer electrolyte solutions only.

This is not The correct approach.

While administering electrolyte solutions is a vital part of managing dehydration, it is not the only aspect of care.

Comprehensive care also includes assessing the child's overall condition, monitoring vital signs, and addressing any underlying causes of dehydration.

Choice B rationale:

Communicate with the healthcare team.

This is The correct answer.

Dehydration management often requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Communicating with the healthcare team, which may include physicians, dietitians, and other specialists, is crucial to ensure that the child receives appropriate treatment and that any underlying medical issues are addressed.

It also allows for coordinated care and adjustment of the treatment plan as needed.

Choice C rationale:

Rely solely on clinical signs to assess hydration status.

Relying solely on clinical signs is not sufficient for comprehensive care.

While clinical signs are important indicators of hydration status, laboratory tests and monitoring are also necessary to accurately assess and manage dehydration.

Choice D rationale:

Skip monitoring the child's response to treatment.

Skipping monitoring is not advisable.

Monitoring the child's response to treatment is a critical part of dehydration management.

It helps ensure that the child is improving, and adjustments can be made to the treatment plan if necessary.

Choice A rationale:

Maintaining a warm room temperature is not the key to preventing dehydration.

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, and temperature control in the room doesn't directly address this issue.

Choice B rationale:

The significance of oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a crucial factor in preventing and treating dehydration.

ORS contains a balanced mixture of salts and sugars that help the body reabsorb water and electrolytes lost due to dehydration.

It is the most effective way to rehydrate a dehydrated child.

Educating the client about the importance of ORS is essential because it provides a clear solution to the problem of dehydration.

Choice C rationale:

The need for a complete blood count (CBC) testing is unrelated to the prevention of dehydration.

CBC is a diagnostic test used to assess various blood parameters, including red and white blood cell counts.

It is not a preventive measure against dehydration.

Choice D rationale:

Suggesting the child's need for frequent, heavy meals is not an appropriate way to prevent dehydration.

In fact, heavy meals can sometimes worsen dehydration as they may be difficult to digest, leading to an increased risk of vomiting and diarrhea, which exacerbate fluid loss.