A nurse is caring for a child who has a hip spica cast. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: Increased blood pressure is not an effect of furosemide, which reduces fluid volume, lowering pressure. Weight loss indicates efficacy. Assuming increased pressure is correct risks misinterpreting diuresis, potentially delaying further fluid management, critical to avoid in treating fluid volume excess effectively.

Choice B reason: Decreased pain is unrelated to furosemide’s diuretic action, which targets fluid reduction, evidenced by weight loss. Assuming pain reduction is an indicator risks missing fluid status changes, critical to prevent in ensuring accurate assessment of furosemide’s effectiveness in fluid volume excess treatment.

Choice C reason: Decreased inflammation is not a furosemide effect; it promotes diuresis, reducing fluid, shown by weight loss. Assuming inflammation reduction is relevant risks misjudging medication efficacy, potentially overlooking fluid overload signs, critical to avoid in managing fluid volume excess with diuretic therapy.

Choice D reason: Weight loss indicates furosemide’s effectiveness, as it reduces fluid volume excess through diuresis, decreasing edema and body weight. This is critical for assessing therapeutic response, ensuring fluid balance, preventing complications like heart failure, and guiding further treatment in clients with fluid overload.

Choice A reason: A semi-sitting position for meals is impractical in a hip spica cast, risking discomfort or aspiration; turning every 2 hours prevents pressure injuries. Assuming semi-sitting is correct risks complications, critical to avoid in ensuring safe positioning and care for children in spica casts.

Choice B reason: Maintaining dependent lower extremities increases edema risk in a hip spica cast; turning every 2 hours promotes circulation. Assuming dependent positioning is correct risks swelling, critical to prevent in ensuring proper cast care and comfort for children with hip spica casts.

Choice C reason: A bedside commode is unsuitable for a hip spica cast, which covers the pelvis; bedpans are used. Turning every 2 hours is key. Assuming a commode is appropriate risks impracticality, critical to avoid in ensuring proper toileting and care in spica cast management.

Choice D reason: Turning every 2 hours prevents pressure ulcers and promotes circulation in a child with a hip spica cast, critical for skin integrity and comfort. This ensures proper cast care, reducing complications, supporting healing, and maintaining safety in pediatric orthopedic management.