A client’s mother is worried about her child who has been diagnosed with moderate dehydration.
The nurse reassures the mother and explains the steps involved in fluid replacement for a dehydrated child.
Which of the following statements by the mother indicates a correct understanding of the nurse’s explanation?

Choice A rationale:

The client's statement, "This IV fluid will provide me with hydration and calories," is correct.

D10W contains 10% dextrose and is used to provide both hydration and calories to the patient.

Choice B rationale:

D10W would not help lower blood sugar levels.

In fact, it would increase blood sugar levels due to the high concentration of dextrose.

Choice C rationale:

D10W does not provide essential electrolytes, so the statement is incorrect.

It's primarily used for calorie supplementation and hydration.

Choice D rationale:

D10W would not help increase blood pressure.

While it can provide hydration, it does not contain medications or components specifically intended to increase blood pressure.

The correct answer is B. Shakiness.

Choice A: Increased capillary refill Capillary refill time (CRT) is a simple and quick test requiring minimal equipment or time to perform. Prolonged CRT is a ‘red flag’ feature, identifying children with increased risk of significant morbidity or mortality. A normal CRT should be between 2-3 seconds when applied centrally, such as to the sternum or the forehead. Therefore, increased capillary refill is not typically associated with hypoglycemia.

Choice B: Shakiness Shakiness, or tremors, are rhythmic shaking movements that most often happen in the hands, but can also occur in the arms, legs, head, vocal cords, and torso. Tremors can occur while a child is resting or active. Shakiness is a common symptom of hypoglycemia.

Choice C: Thirst While it’s true that excessive thirst can be a sign of diabetes, it’s a tricky one when the patient is a child. Young children often drink plenty of fluids when they are perfectly healthy. However, thirst is typically associated with hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia.

Choice D: Decreased appetite Loss of appetite (anorexia) is a common symptom in children. Acute illness in childhood is often associated with transient loss of appetite. However, decreased appetite is not typically a direct symptom of hypoglycemia.