A nurse on a pediatric unit is caring for a toddler who has poor dietary intake. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Encourage the family to be with the child during mealtimes. While having family present can provide support and create a positive mealtime atmosphere, it is not the first step in addressing poor dietary intake. Understanding the underlying reasons for the child's poor intake is more critical initially. B. Instruct the family to praise the child when they eat. Encouraging praise can help create a positive association with eating, but this action is more effective after understanding the child's dietary habits and preferences. C. Obtain the child's dietary history. Obtaining the child's dietary history is the most important first step. This allows the nurse to identify specific concerns, such as food preferences, patterns of intake, and any potential food allergies or intolerances. Understanding the child's current dietary habits is essential for developing an effective plan to improve nutritional intake. D. Offer the child nutritious snacks between meals. Offering nutritious snacks can help increase caloric intake, but this should be done after assessing the child's dietary history to ensure that the snacks are appropriate and tailored to the child's needs and preferences.