A nurse is planning care for a toddler who was admitted for acute diarrhea. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

A. Administering a regular diet is incorrect. While reintroducing a normal diet is important in managing diarrhea, it is not the priority in the acute phase. The toddler must first receive adequate hydration before resuming a regular diet. B. Initiating IV fluid therapy is correct. In cases of severe dehydration or when the child cannot tolerate oral fluids, IV fluid therapy is the priority to restore fluid and electrolyte balance. Acute diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, making fluid replacement the most critical intervention. C. Administering IV antibiotics is incorrect. Most cases of acute diarrhea in children are viral and do not require antibiotics. Even in bacterial cases, antibiotics are not always indicated unless the child has a severe infection or complications. D. Initiating oral rehydration therapy is incorrect as the priority action. Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is preferred for mild to moderate dehydration, but if the toddler is unable to tolerate oral fluids or has severe dehydration, IV fluids are the first-line treatment.