A nurse is preparing to screen a newborn for phenylketonuria. The nurse should inform the parents that this screening allows for early detection and intervention to prevent the development of which of the following conditions?

A. Clear-colored urine: Clear-colored urine typically indicates adequate hydration or even overhydration. In Clostridium difficile, where the client may be experiencing profuse diarrhea, clear urine would not align with fluid volume deficit. This finding suggests the kidneys are excreting diluted urine, which is not consistent with dehydration.
B. Decreased urine specific gravity: A decreased urine specific gravity reflects dilute urine and usually points to overhydration or an inability to concentrate urine. In a client with C. difficile and likely diarrhea-related fluid loss, the expected finding would be a concentrated urine with increased specific gravity, not decreased.
C. Increased hematocrit: An increased hematocrit indicates hemoconcentration, which occurs when plasma volume is reduced due to fluid loss. In the setting of Clostridium difficile infection, where fluid is lost rapidly through diarrhea, this rise in hematocrit is a classic marker of fluid volume deficit. It reflects the relative increase in red blood cells due to a lower plasma volume.
D. Hypertension: Hypertension is more commonly associated with fluid volume excess or other cardiovascular conditions. In cases of fluid volume deficit, hypotension or orthostatic hypotension is more expected due to decreased circulating blood volume. Therefore, high blood pressure would not support the diagnosis of dehydration in this context.

A. "Make sure to drink water with your meals." While staying hydrated is important for metabolism and satiety, emphasizing water intake with meals over other proven strategies, like portion control and meal timing, may not be the most effective behavioral focus for weight loss education.
B. "Meal replacement shakes can cause weight gain." Stating that meal replacement shakes can cause weight gain can be misleading. Weight gain typically occurs when total caloric intake exceeds expenditure, regardless of whether calories come from shakes or food.
C. "Your biggest meal of the day should be breakfast." Eating a larger breakfast can promote weight loss by jump-starting metabolism and reducing overall calorie intake later in the day. Front-loading calories earlier in the day can improve satiety and energy levels, leading to healthier eating patterns and potentially better adherence to weight loss goals.
D. "Set your weight loss goal to 2.5 pounds per week." A safe and sustainable weight loss goal is typically 1 to 2 pounds per week. A goal of 2.5 pounds per week may be too aggressive and unrealistic for most individuals, increasing the risk of muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, or rebound weight gain. Encouraging gradual, steady weight loss supports long-term success.