A nurse is caring for a preschooler who has a gastrostomy tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Swaddle the toddler in a blanket. While swaddling may be comforting, it does not effectively prevent the toddler from reaching the incision site. Elbow restraints are a more appropriate choice for limiting arm movement and protecting the incision site.

B. Place the toddler in bilateral elbow restraints. Bilateral elbow restraints are commonly used after cleft lip and palate repair to prevent the toddler from touching or disrupting the incision site. These restraints help protect the surgical area while allowing the child to maintain some mobility.

C. Place the child in a mummy restraint. A mummy restraint (wrapping the child tightly) may be too restrictive and can cause distress, as it limits the child's ability to move freely. Elbow restraints are typically a better choice to prevent injury to the surgical site while still allowing some movement.

D. Obtain a prescription for lorazepam. Lorazepam is a sedative and would not be the first-line approach to managing the child's need to prevent touching the incision site. Using physical restraints is a safer and more effective option.

A. "Capillary refill less than 2 seconds." A capillary refill time of less than 2 seconds indicates adequate hydration and perfusion, showing that the fluid replacement therapy has been effective.

B. "Potassium 5.6 mEq/L (3.4 to 4.7 mEq/L)." A potassium level of 5.6 mEq/L is elevated (hyperkalemia) and suggests an imbalance, which can result from inadequate kidney function or excessive potassium intake rather than effective rehydration.

C. "Voiding less than 1 mL/kg/hr." Decreased urine output is a sign of persistent dehydration or kidney dysfunction. Effective fluid therapy should restore normal urine output, typically greater than 1 mL/kg/hr in children.

D. "Tachycardia." Tachycardia is a sign of dehydration. If fluid replacement were effective, heart rate should normalize, not remain elevated.