A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who has preeclampsia and is to receive magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion.
Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan?

The correct answer is choice C: Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring.

Choice A rationale:

Implementing fluid restrictions is not recommended for a child with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is characterized by severe dehydration due to osmotic diuresis, and fluid replacement is a critical component of treatment to restore hydration and circulatory volume.

Choice B rationale:

Monitoring vital signs every 8 hours is not sufficient for a child with DKA. DKA is an acute, life-threatening condition that requires close monitoring of vital signs to detect changes in the patient’s condition promptly. Vital signs should be monitored more frequently, typically every 1 to 2 hours, depending on the severity of the DKA and institutional protocols.

Choice C rationale:

Continuous cardiac monitoring is recommended for a child with DKA. DKA can lead to serious electrolyte imbalances, such as hypokalemia, which can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Continuous cardiac monitoring allows for the early detection and treatment of these potential complications.

Choice D rationale:

Administering subcutaneous insulin 30 minutes before meals is not appropriate for the acute management of DKA. In DKA, insulin is typically administered intravenously to rapidly decrease blood glucose levels and correct metabolic acidosis. Subcutaneous insulin is not used until the patient is stable and able to eat.

Choice A rationale:

A heart rate of 140/min is not a specific indicator of desmopressin effectiveness in a child with diabetes insipidus. The effectiveness of desmopressin is primarily evaluated based on the reduction in excessive urination and thirst associated with the condition. Monitoring heart rate is essential in certain situations but is not a direct measure of desmopressin efficacy in managing diabetes insipidus.

Choice B rationale:

Cessation of nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) is a significant indication that desmopressin, an antidiuretic hormone, is effective. One of the main symptoms of diabetes insipidus is excessive urination, including during the night, leading to bedwetting. When desmopressin effectively reduces urine production, patients often experience improvement in these symptoms, including the cessation of nocturnal enuresis.

Choice C rationale:

Capillary refill of 3 seconds is a measurement used to assess peripheral perfusion and circulatory status. While it is essential to monitor capillary refill in pediatric patients, especially in cases of dehydration or circulatory compromise, it is not a specific indicator of desmopressin effectiveness in managing diabetes insipidus. Capillary refill time is more relevant in the assessment of cardiovascular function and fluid status.

Choice D rationale:

The absence of hypoglycemic episodes is not a direct indicator of desmopressin effectiveness. Diabetes insipidus is unrelated to blood glucose levels, as it involves the dysregulation of water balance due to insufficient antidiuretic hormone. While it is essential to monitor blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus, it is not relevant to assessing the effectiveness of desmopressin in treating diabetes insipidus.