Question

A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the parent of a school-age child who is being treated for nephrotic syndrome. The parent asks the nurse why it is necessary to check the child's urine for protein. Which of the following explanations should the nurse offer?

A. Checking the child's urine for protein helps us monitor the effectiveness of their treatment and identify any potential complications.
B. Checking the child's urine for protein helps us determine if they have an underlying kidney infection.
C. Checking the child's urine for protein helps us assess their overall health and hydration status.
D. Checking the child's urine for protein helps us track their progress and determine when they can be taken off medication.

Answer 1

Checking the child's urine for protein is crucial in monitoring treatment efficacy and identifying complications in nephrotic syndrome, where damaged glomeruli cause protein leakage into urine.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason why it is necessary to check the child's urine for protein is to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and to identify any potential complications related to nephrotic syndrome. In nephrotic syndrome, the glomeruli are damaged, allowing a significant amount of protein, which should normally be retained in the blood, to leak into the urine, resulting in proteinuria. By regularly testing for protein in the urine, health care providers can track the patient's response to therapy and make adjustments as needed, aiming to reduce the protein levels in the urine and manage the condition effectively. It also helps in screening for the progression of kidney damage and evaluating the need for further treatment adjustments.