A nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child who was admitted with acute diarrhea and dehydration Which of the following rehydration therapy has been effective? Heart rate 130/min Respiratory rate 24/min Urine specific gravity 1.015 Capillary refill greater than 3 seconds

In assessing the effectiveness of rehydration therapy for a 3-year-old child with acute diarrhea and dehydration, several clinical parameters need to be considered. Let's analyze each parameter provided:<br /><br />1. **Heart rate**: A heart rate of 130 beats per minute (bpm) is on the higher end for a 3-year-old child. Normal heart rates for this age group typically range from 80 to 120 bpm. An elevated heart rate can indicate ongoing dehydration or stress.<br /><br />2. **Respiratory rate**: A respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute is within the normal range for a 3-year-old child, which is typically between 20 to 30 breaths per minute. This suggests that the child's respiratory status is stable.<br /><br />3. **Urine specific gravity**: A urine specific gravity of 1.015 is within the normal range (1.005 to 1.030). This indicates that the kidneys are functioning properly and the child is likely adequately hydrated.<br /><br />4. **Capillary refill time**: Capillary refill greater than 3 seconds is prolonged and suggests poor perfusion, which can be a sign of ongoing dehydration or shock.<br /><br />Based on these observations:<br />- The heart rate is elevated.<br />- The respiratory rate is normal.<br />- The urine specific gravity is normal.<br />- The capillary refill time is prolonged.<br /><br />While some parameters (respiratory rate and urine specific gravity) suggest improvement, the elevated heart rate and prolonged capillary refill time indicate that the child may still be experiencing dehydration or inadequate perfusion. Therefore, it appears that the rehydration therapy has not been fully effective yet.<br /><br />Further rehydration and close monitoring are necessary to ensure the child's condition continues to improve. It would also be important to reassess other clinical signs such as skin turgor, mucous membrane moisture, and overall fluid intake/output.