A nurse is providing teaching about food allergies to the parents of a toddler. Which of the following foods should the nurse identify as the highest risk for allergies in toddlers?

A) Measure the client's gastric residual every 12 hr: While monitoring gastric residual volume is important to prevent complications such as aspiration or gastric distention, it is typically done prior to each intermittent feeding, not every 12 hours for clients receiving continuous enteral feedings. Continuous feeding does not necessitate less frequent monitoring of gastric residuals.

B) Keep the client's head elevated at 15° during feedings: Elevating the client's head during feedings helps reduce the risk of aspiration. However, this action is not specific to initiating continuous enteral feedings and should be maintained throughout the client's enteral feeding regimen.

C) Obtain the client's electrolyte levels every 4 hr: Monitoring electrolyte levels every 4 hours is not necessary as part of routine care for a client initiating continuous enteral feedings. While electrolyte levels may be monitored periodically, the frequency would depend on the client's clinical condition and the healthcare provider's orders.

D) Flush the client's tube with 30 mL of water every 4 hr: Flushing the client's tube with water helps maintain patency and prevent clogging, which is especially important for clients receiving continuous enteral feedings. This action helps ensure that the tube remains clear and functional, allowing for uninterrupted delivery of the enteral feeding solution.

A) Oliguria, or decreased urine output, is a sign of fluid volume deficit rather than an indication that the treatment has been effective. In a client with fluid volume deficit, the kidneys conserve water to maintain fluid balance, leading to decreased urine output.

B) Elastic skin turgor is a reliable indicator of hydration status. When a client's fluid volume deficit is improving, their skin turgor returns to normal. Elastic skin turgor means that the skin quickly returns to its normal position after being pinched and released, indicating adequate hydration.

C) Tachycardia, or an increased heart rate, is a compensatory mechanism that the body uses to maintain cardiac output in response to fluid volume deficit. While tachycardia may initially be present in a client with fluid volume deficit, it is not an indication that treatment has been effective.

D) Dry mucous membranes are a manifestation of dehydration and fluid volume deficit. Moist mucous membranes indicate hydration status, and their dryness suggests dehydration. Dry mucous membranes are not indicative of effective treatment for fluid volume deficit.