A nurse is caring for a preschooler immediately following a tonsillectomy and notices the child swallowing frequently.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Proteinuria is the presence of excess protein in the urine, which is a hallmark of nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes increased permeability of the glomerular basement membrane, leading to loss of protein and other substances in the urine.

Choice B is wrong because hypolipidemia is a low level of lipids in the blood, which is not expected in nephrotic syndrome. On the contrary, nephrotic syndrome causes hyperlipidemia, which is a high level of lipids in the blood, due to increased synthesis and decreased clearance of lipoproteins.

Choice C is wrong because hyperalbuminemia is a high level of albumin in the blood, which is not expected in nephrotic syndrome. On the contrary, nephrotic syndrome causes hypoalbuminemia, which is a low level of albumin in the blood, due to loss of albumin in the urine and decreased synthesis by the liver.

Choice D is wrong because increased hemoglobin is not expected in nephrotic syndrome. On the contrary, nephrotic syndrome can cause anemia, which is a low level of hemoglobin in the blood, due to loss of iron and erythropoietin in the urine and decreased production of red blood cells by the bone marrow.

Normal ranges for proteinuria are less than 150 mg per day or less than 10 mg per deciliter on a random urine sample. Normal ranges for serum lipids are total cholesterol less than 200 mg per deciliter, LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg per deciliter, HDL cholesterol more than 40 mg per deciliter for men and more than 50 mg per deciliter for women, and triglycerides less than 150 mg per

deciliter. Normal ranges for serum albumin are 3.5 to 5.0 grams per deciliter.

The HbA1c value determines long-term blood glucose control for the past 120 days. This is because the HbA1c test measures what percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood are coated with sugar (glycated). Hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells live for around 120 days, so the test reflects your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months.

Choice A is wrong because an HbA1c value greater than 8% indicates poor diabetic control of blood sugar. The HbA1c target for most people with type 1 diabetes is 48 mmol/mol (or 6.5%) or lower.

Choice B is wrong because the HbA1c value is not altered by eating habits the day before the test. The test does not require fasting and can be done at any time of the day.

Choice D is wrong because an HbA1c test should be performed more than once per year.

The frequency of the test depends on the type of diabetes, your treatment plan and your blood sugar level. For example, you may need the test twice a year if you have good blood sugar control, or four times a year if you take insulin or have trouble keeping your blood sugar level within your target range.