Final answer:
The best sign of improvement in a child with acute glomerulonephritis is a decrease in blood pressure, which suggests better kidney function and fluid balance. Increased urine output is also a positive sign, but usually follows the normalization of blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best response by the nurse to parents asking about the first indication that their child's acute glomerulonephritis is improving would be a) "Blood pressure will decrease." When glomerulonephritis begins to resolve, the kidneys start to heal, leading to better filtration and fluid balance. As a result, there is less fluid retention and consequently, blood pressure starts to normalize.
- Decreased urine output typically indicates worsening kidney function, not improvement.
- Increased edema would suggest that the condition is not improving, as it is a sign of fluid retention.
- While increased urine output can be a sign of improvement, it is often a later sign following the initial decrease in blood pressure.
Keeping in mind that glomerulonephritis is characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, symptoms include elevated blood pressure, excessive protein, and the presence of blood in the urine. Improvement in these symptoms, particularly the normalization of blood pressure, signals recovery.