The nurse is performing a health assessment of a 3-month-old African-American boy. For what condition should this infant be monitored based on his race?

A. "His average daily intake should be about 3,000 calories.": This statement is incorrect because the average daily calorie intake for a toddler is much lower, typically ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 calories, depending on factors such as age, weight, and activity level.

B. "The quality of food I provide him is more important than the quantity.": This statement reflects an understanding of the importance of nutrient-dense foods in a toddler's diet rather than focusing solely on the quantity of calories consumed.

C. "Because he is such a picky eater, I will give him one of my vitamins each day.": While offering a vitamin supplement may seem like a solution to address nutritional gaps, it's important for toddlers to receive essential nutrients from a variety of foods rather than relying solely on supplements.

D. "I should expect him to have an increased appetite.": While toddlers may experience fluctuations in appetite, expecting a consistently increased appetite may not be accurate or indicative of healthy eating habits.

A. Body weight: Body weight is the most reliable indicator of fluid loss, as changes in weight directly reflect changes in fluid balance. Monitoring weight is essential for assessing dehydration and guiding fluid replacement therapy.

B. Skin integrity: While changes in skin turgor and skin integrity can be indicators of

dehydration, they are less reliable in infants, especially if they have certain skin conditions or are very young.

C. Respiratory ratE. Although increased respiratory rate can occur as a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis associated with dehydration, it is not as reliable as changes in body weight for assessing fluid loss.

D. Blood pressurE. While blood pressure may be affected by severe dehydration, it is not as sensitive or practical as monitoring body weight for assessing fluid loss in infants.