An eight-year-old with nephrotic syndrome is pale, lethargic, and has ascites. To determine if the ascites is increasing, the nurse should (chose one best answer):

A. Always infantize the child

Incorrect Explanation: "Infantizing" a child with a growth hormone deficiency is not a relevant or appropriate approach.

Explanation: Growth hormone deficiency is a medical condition that affects a child's growth. Treating the child as an infant could potentially have negative psychological and social effects. It's important to provide appropriate support and understanding without treating the child differently due to their medical condition.

B. Monitor for leukemia

Incorrect Explanation: Monitoring for leukemia is not directly related to growth hormone deficiency.

Explanation: Growth hormone deficiency primarily affects a child's growth and development due to inadequate production of growth hormone. While there might be certain health concerns associated with the condition, monitoring for leukemia is not a common aspect of managing growth hormone deficiency.

C. Help the parents set realistic goals based on the child's age and abilities

Correct Explanation: This is an important aspect to include in teaching.

Explanation: When a child is diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, it's crucial for parents to set realistic expectations regarding their child's growth. Growth hormone therapy can help, but it's essential to understand that the child's growth might still differ from their peers. Setting realistic goals based on the child's age and abilities can help manage expectations and provide appropriate support.

D. This illness is only seen in males

Incorrect Explanation: Growth hormone deficiency is not limited to males.

Explanation: Growth hormone deficiency can affect individuals of any gender. It is not exclusive to males. The condition results from insufficient production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland, and it can occur in both males and females.

A. Assess the bowel sounds:

Bowel sounds are not directly related to the assessment of ascites. Bowel sounds are more relevant in assessing gastrointestinal function and peristalsis. While bowel changes could potentially be a sign of complications, monitoring abdominal girth is more specific to tracking ascites.

B. Frequently ambulate child:

While ambulation is important for overall health, it's not a direct assessment method for monitoring ascites. Ambulating a child might have benefits, but it won't provide specific information about the presence or progression of ascites.

C. Weigh child weekly:

Weekly weighing can provide some information about overall fluid balance, but it might not be as sensitive as measuring abdominal girth when it comes to detecting changes in ascites. Additionally, monitoring weight alone might not give insight into the distribution of fluid in the abdominal cavity.

D. Monitor and measure the abdominal girth.

Explanation: The presence of ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity) in a child with nephrotic syndrome could indicate worsening kidney function and fluid balance. Monitoring and measuring the abdominal girth is a reliable way to assess changes in the amount of fluid accumulation over time. An increase in abdominal girth could suggest a worsening condition.