A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who has been diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. The nurse collects data knowing that a common characteristic associated with nephrotic syndrome is:

The correct answer is (C) Determine if the toddler is voiding.

Choice A: Initiate isotonic fluids with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride. While it is important to maintain hydration in a child with acute gastroenteritis, initiating isotonic fluids with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride is not the first action a nurse should take. The child’s hydration status and electrolyte balance need to be assessed first. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of isotonic solutions with adequate potassium chloride and dextrose for maintenance IV fluids in children.

Choice B: Collect a stool sample from the toddler Collecting a stool sample can help identify the cause of the gastroenteritis. However, this is not the first step. The stool sample collection should be done using a clean, dry toilet hat or plastic wrap. But before this, the child’s hydration status needs to be assessed.

Choice C: Determine if the toddler is voiding The first action the nurse should take when using the nursing process is assessment. Therefore, checking if the toddler is voiding is the priority. This will help assess the child’s hydration status, which is critical in managing acute gastroenteritis.

Choice D: Request evaluation of the toddler’s serum electrolytes Requesting an evaluation of the toddler’s serum electrolytes is also important, but it’s typically done after the initial assessment. Fluid and electrolyte derangement are the immediate causes that increase the mortality in diarrhea. However, before requesting this evaluation, the nurse should first determine if the toddler is voiding to assess the child’s hydration status.

Choice A rationale
While it’s true that bone marrow can be lost through a fracture, this is not specific to fractures of the epiphyseal plate.
Choice B rationale
The healing time for fractures in children and adults can vary depending on many factors, but it’s not accurate to say that fractures in children take longer to heal than fractures in adults.
Choice C rationale
Normal bone growth can indeed be affected by a fracture of the epiphyseal plate. The epiphyseal plate, or growth plate, is the area of growing tissue near the ends of the long bones in children and adolescents. When a fracture occurs at the epiphyseal plate, it can disrupt the normal growth of the bone and lead to deformities.
Choice D rationale
While calcium is important for bone health, increasing a child’s calcium intake to 3,000 milligrams daily is not typically recommended as part of the treatment or management of a fracture.