A nurse is teaching a school-age child who has type 1 diabetes mellitus and his parents about illness management. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A) Seizure Precautions:

While seizure precautions are important in certain clinical situations, they are not directly related to the excess fluid and generalized edema associated with nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is primarily characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and fluid retention, which can lead to edema. Seizure precautions would not directly address the fluid imbalance in this context.

B) Ambulation:

Ambulation involves walking or movement and is not a priority intervention for addressing excess fluid and generalized edema. The primary concern in nephrotic syndrome with fluid accumulation is to manage the fluid balance and prevent further complications related to edema, such as respiratory distress or compromised circulation.

C) Daily weight:

This is the correct priority intervention. Daily weight monitoring is crucial in managing fluid balance and assessing the effectiveness of treatment in a child with nephrotic syndrome and fluid accumulation. Sudden weight gain can indicate worsening edema, while weight loss might indicate a response to treatment. Daily weight monitoring provides essential information to adjust fluid and medication management accordingly.

D) Keep bed position flat:

While maintaining a flat bed position may help improve venous return and fluid distribution, it is not the priority intervention for managing excess fluid and generalized edema in a child with nephrotic syndrome. Monitoring daily weight and adjusting treatment based on weight changes are more directly related to addressing the fluid imbalance.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Individuals with type 1 diabetes require insulin therapy to manage their blood sugar levels. Since the question is about teaching an adolescent with type 1 diabetes, let's analyze each option:

A) Obtain an influenza vaccine annually:

This is a crucial recommendation. People with diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, have a higher risk of complications from infections, including influenza (the flu). The flu can lead to elevated blood sugar levels and potentially worsen diabetes control. Getting an annual influenza vaccine helps reduce the risk of getting the flu and its associated complications.

B) Take glyburide with breakfast:

Glyburide is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, not type 1 diabetes. It stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production, so taking glyburide would not be appropriate.

C) Administer glucagon for hyperglycemia:

Glucagon is a hormone used to raise blood sugar levels, typically in cases of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It is not used to treat hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in type 1 diabetes. Instead, insulin administration is the primary method for managing high blood sugar levels.

D) Inject insulin in the deltoid muscle:

Insulin injections for individuals with type 1 diabetes are typically given in the subcutaneous fat, which is found just beneath the skin. The deltoid muscle is not a recommended site for insulin injections due to inconsistent absorption. The abdomen, thighs, and buttocks are commonly recommended injection sites.