Question

A child has been in the hospital for several days for treatment of severe vomiting related his hiv-positive status. which assessment finding is the best indication that the child's condition is improving?

Answer 1

No lesions in the mouth and throat
Weight increase of 1 lb over 3 days Correct
Temperature change from 100.2° F to 99.2° F
Capillary refill slowing from 2 seconds to 3 seconds
Weight increase of 1 lb (0.45 kg) over 3 days
Rationale: Vomiting results in fluid volume deficit. The most accurate method of evaluating fluid volume increase (the desired outcome) is weight. A temperature decrease is not reflective of fluid volume increase. Increasing capillary refill time is indicative of a fluid volume decrease, not an increase. The absence of mouth ulcers would allow the child to drink without pain but does not reflect a fluid volume increase.