A nurse is assessing a toddler who is toilet-trained and has a temperature of 38.5° C (101.3° F). Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as an indication of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

A. Initiate antibiotic therapy for the child.

This is the priority action. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, and prompt administration of antibiotics is crucial to treat the infection and prevent further complications. Therefore, the nurse should initiate antibiotic therapy as soon as possible after obtaining appropriate cultures.

B. Minimize the child's environmental stimuli.

While reducing environmental stimuli can help decrease the child's discomfort and prevent agitation, it is not the priority action when managing bacterial meningitis. Treating the underlying infection takes precedence to prevent serious complications such as neurological damage or septic shock.

C. Place the child in a side-lying position.

Positioning the child on their side may help prevent aspiration if vomiting occurs, but it is not the priority action in the initial management of bacterial meningitis. The child's positioning can be adjusted as needed once antibiotic therapy has been initiated.

D. Administer pain medication to the child.

Pain management is important for the child's comfort, but it is not the priority action when managing bacterial meningitis. The child's pain may be addressed once antibiotic therapy has been initiated and the child's condition has stabilized.

A. Obtain a daily weight:

This is an appropriate action. Monitoring daily weights can help assess fluid balance and detect fluid retention, which is common in children with kidney disorders like acute glomerulonephritis. Sudden weight gain or fluid overload may indicate worsening kidney function and the need for intervention.

B. Strain the urine:

Straining the urine may be indicated to monitor for the presence of blood or protein, which are common findings in acute glomerulonephritis. Straining the urine is not necessary, as hematuria is a common finding and does not indicate kidney damage.

C. Monitor blood glucose level every 4 hr:

Monitoring blood glucose levels every 4 hours is not directly related to the care of a child with acute glomerulonephritis. Blood glucose monitoring is more relevant in conditions such as diabetes mellitus. However, monitoring electrolyte levels, including blood glucose, may be part of routine laboratory testing in children with kidney disorders.

D. Recommend strict bed rest:

Strict bed rest is not typically recommended for children with acute glomerulonephritis unless there are specific complications or severe symptoms requiring immobilization. While some activity restriction may be recommended during the acute phase of the illness, strict bed rest may lead to complications such as deconditioning and venous thromboembolism.