After administering furosemide to a school-aged child with congestive heart failure secondary to a ventricular septal defect, which finding indicates improvement?

Choice A rationale Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of sodium and water, reducing fluid overload and pulmonary congestion associated with congestive heart failure. A decreased urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/hr is a sign of worsening status, as the target output for adequate diuresis is generally 1-3 mL/kg/hr for children. Choice B rationale Furosemide therapy is intended to reduce fluid volume, which should result in weight loss. An increase in weight of 1.5 kg indicates fluid retention and ineffective or inadequate diuretic therapy, signaling a deterioration or lack of improvement in the child's congestive heart failure. Choice C rationale A decrease in respiratory rate from 50 to 32 breaths per minute indicates a reduction in tachypnea. Tachypnea in congestive heart failure is caused by fluid backup into the lungs (pulmonary congestion), which decreases lung compliance. The reduction in rate suggests that the diuretic has successfully lowered the pulmonary fluid volume, improving respiratory function. Choice D rationale An increase in heart rate to 160 bpm (tachycardia) in a school-aged child (normal resting heart rate ≈ 70-110 bpm) is a compensatory mechanism for decreased stroke volume, often seen in worsening heart failure or dehydration. This finding indicates deterioration or a negative effect of the diuretic, such as volume depletion.