Question

An infant, with a medical diagnosis of severe dehydration, is on parenteral therapy. Which of the following would be the most valuable information for the nurse to obtain to evaluate the infant's response to the therapy?

Count the number of wet diapers every shift
Weigh the infant at the same time every day
Assess the mucous membranes every shift
Palpate the anterior fontanel every morning

Answer 1

The most valuable information to obtain for evaluating an infant's response to parenteral therapy for severe dehydration is to weigh the infant at the same time every day.

Step-by-step explanation:

To evaluate an infant's response to parenteral therapy for severe dehydration, the most valuable piece of information for a nurse to obtain would be to weigh the infant at the same time every day. This provides a consistent and objective measure of fluid balance. While assessing the mucous membranes and palpating the anterior fontanel are also important for overall assessment, these are subjective measures. Counting the number of wet diapers can indicate fluid output but does not account for insensible fluid loss or quantify input. In contrast, daily weights can detect even small changes in fluid status and are critical for adjusting fluid therapy. Given the immaturity of the neonatal kidneys, which are inefficient at concentrating urine, monitoring weights is crucial for an accurate assessment of hydration status in infants.