Final answer:
The probable cause of acute glomerulonephritis in a 5-year-old, among the provided options, is a recent respiratory infection, especially one caused by Streptococcus pyogenes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In taking the history of a 5-year-old with acute glomerulonephritis, the nurse would recognize recent respiratory infection as the probable cause. Glomerulonephritis is an inflammatory condition of the glomeruli in the kidneys. It is often associated with post-streptococcal sequelae following a Streptococcus pyogenes throat or skin infection. The inflammatory response is typically triggered by immune complexes that form in the blood between the bacterial antigens and the body's antibodies, which then lodge in the capillaries of the glomeruli, causing damage.
Acute glomerulonephritis can manifest as excessive protein and blood in the urine, increased blood pressure, and edema. While there are other causes of glomerulonephritis, such as lupus nephritis or diabetic nephropathy, in a child with a recent history compatible with a streptococcal infection, a post-infectious etiology is most likely. The development of glomerulonephritis following a respiratory infection is more common than it being related to family history of kidney disease, exposure to lead, or a history of urinary tract infections in this context.