What intervention should a nurse implement for a hospitalized toddler prescribed an antiemetic?

Monitoring for electrolyte imbalances is crucial when a toddler is prescribed an antiemetic. Antiemetic medications can impact gastrointestinal motility and fluid balance, potentially leading to dehydration or changes in electrolyte levels. Toddlers, due to their small size and fluid requirements, are particularly susceptible to these imbalances. Vigilant monitoring will ensure any significant deviations from normal ranges are promptly identified and addressed, thereby preventing complications such as cardiac issues or metabolic disturbances.

While monitoring for fluid retention is also important in certain situations, it is the potential for electrolyte disturbance that is a more immediate concern with antiemetics. Administering pain relief medications and increasing nutritional intake are not directly related to the effects of antiemetics and their need for monitoring is less relevant in the context of this particular intervention. Therefore, focusing on electrolyte levels provides a targeted approach to the specific risks associated with the use of antiemetic agents in this pediatric population.