Final answer:
The highest priority nursing intervention for a child with nephrotic syndrome is monitoring blood pressure due to the risk of altered fluid and electrolyte balance and the importance of maintaining renal perfusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
When planning care for a 2-year-old child admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome, the nursing intervention of highest priority is monitoring blood pressure. Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by damage to the glomerulus, which leads to a significant amount of protein entering the urine and can result in swelling, low serum albumin, and high cholesterol levels. Monitoring blood pressure is critical due to the potential for significant variances as a result of altered fluid and electrolyte balance. Additionally, maintaining adequate blood pressure is vital for ensuring proper renal perfusion and function.
Administering diuretics as prescribed, restricting fluid intake, and measuring abdominal girth daily are also important interventions. Diuretics help manage fluid overload and swelling by prompting the kidneys to excrete more urine. Restricting fluid intake could be necessary to control the fluid balance, and measuring abdominal girth can help monitor for ascites, which is a common complication of nephrotic syndrome. However, these actions are implemented based on individual assessments and blood pressure stability remains the priority.