Question

A nurse is caring for a child with acute kidney injury (AKI) at home. The child's laboratory work is as follows: serum albumen 2.8 g/dL and serum protein 4 g/dL. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?

Answer 1

The most appropriate action by the nurse for a child with acute kidney injury and hypoalbuminemia would be to monitor fluid and electrolyte balance, implement nutritional support, monitor renal function, and manage blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a child with acute kidney injury (AKI) and low serum albumin and serum protein levels should prioritize monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance, administering prescribed medication to reduce proteinuria, and providing nutritional support that may include a high-calorie and low-protein diet to minimize the kidneys' workload.

Given the provided laboratory values of serum albumin at 2.8 g/dL and serum protein at 4 g/dL, these are indicative of hypoalbuminemia, which can occur in kidney diseases such as nephrotic syndrome where there's a significant loss of protein in the urine. The nurse should also advocate for close monitoring of the child's renal function via blood tests, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels, to provide the necessary interventions promptly.

Furthermore, controlling factors that may worsen kidney damage such as hypertension and hyperglycemia in diabetic nephropathy is crucial. In terms of prescriptions, drugs may be given to address proteinuria, and a sodium-restricted diet can be beneficial in managing the fluid balance and blood pressure.