A nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child who was admitted with acute diarrhea and dehydration. Which of the following findings indicates that oral rehydration therapy has been effective?

Choice A reason: Encouraging the child to avoid sharing hats with other children is a preventive measure to reduce the risk of lice transmission. Lice are spread by direct contact with the hair or personal items of an infested person. Hats, combs, brushes, scarves, and pillows are some of the items that can harbor lice.

Choice B reason: The lice can survive for 2 weeks away from the host is a false statement. Lice cannot live longer than 24 to 48 hours without a human host. They need blood to survive and reproduce. Therefore, this information is not helpful for the parents to prevent or treat lice.

Choice C reason: Washing your child's hair daily will prevent lice is a false statement. Lice are not a sign of poor hygiene or cleanliness. They can affect anyone regardless of how often they wash their hair. In fact, lice may prefer clean hair because it is easier to attach to. Therefore, this information is not helpful for the parents to prevent or treat lice.

Choice D reason: Lice can jump from one child to another is a false statement. Lice cannot jump, fly, or hop. They can only crawl from one person to another. Therefore, this information is not helpful for the parents to prevent or treat lice.

Choice A reason: Loss of appetite is not an urgent finding, as it may be caused by various factors, such as nausea, pain, or stress. The nurse should monitor the child's fluid and calorie intake and encourage oral hydration and nutrition. However, loss of appetite does not require immediate reporting to the health care provider.

Choice B reason: Platelet count is not an urgent finding, as it is not given in the text. The nurse should check the child's laboratory results and compare them with the normal ranges for preschoolers. A normal platelet count for children is 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood¹. A low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) may indicate bleeding disorders, infections, or bone marrow problems. A high platelet count (thrombocytosis) may indicate inflammation, infection, or cancer. The nurse should report any abnormal platelet count to the health care provider, but it is not an immediate concern.

Choice C reason: Developmental regression is an urgent finding, as it may indicate a serious neurological problem, such as a brain tumor, infection, or injury. Developmental regression is the loss of previously acquired skills or milestones, such as language, motor, or social skills. The nurse should assess the child's developmental level and report any signs of regression to the health care provider as soon as possible.

Choice D reason: Absolute neutrophil count is an urgent finding, as it may indicate a severe infection or a compromised immune system. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that fight bacterial infections. The absolute neutrophil count is the number of neutrophils in a microliter of blood. A normal absolute neutrophil count for children is 1,500 to 8,000 per microliter of blood². A low absolute neutrophil count (neutropenia) may increase the risk of infection and sepsis. A high absolute neutrophil count (neutrophilia) may indicate an acute infection or inflammation. The nurse should report any abnormal absolute neutrophil count to the health care provider immediately.

Choice E reason: Hemoglobin is not an urgent finding, as it is not given in the text. The nurse should check the child's laboratory results and compare them with the normal ranges for preschoolers. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A normal hemoglobin level for children is 11.5 to 15.5 grams per deciliter of blood³. A low hemoglobin level (anemia) may indicate blood loss, iron deficiency, or bone marrow problems. A high hemoglobin level (polycythemia) may indicate dehydration, lung disease, or heart disease. The nurse should report any abnormal hemoglobin level to the health care provider, but it is not an immediate concern.