A 5-year-old with acute kidney injury is admitted with oliguria, edema, and elevated serum BUN and creatinine levels. Place the following nursing interventions into the categories "High Priority" or "Lower Priority."
Explanation & Rationale
Maintain strict intake and output records: Accurate I&O is essential in AKI to assess fluid balance, guide fluid restrictions, and detect early signs of worsening renal function. Monitor serum potassium and place child on cardiac monitor: Hyperkalemia is life-threatening in AKI and can lead to cardiac arrhythmias. Continuous monitoring is critical to detect dangerous changes promptly. Provide seizure precautions if hyponatremia develops: Hyponatremia increases the risk of cerebral edema and seizures. Implementing seizure precautions prevents injury and allows rapid response if seizures occur. Offer frequent small meals to promote nutrition: Nutrition supports recovery but is not immediately life-threatening; it is a lower-priority intervention compared to monitoring electrolytes and fluid status. Encourage quiet play and energy conservation: Promoting rest and conserving energy aids comfort and recovery but does not address acute, potentially life-threatening complications, making it lower priority.