Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

What manifestation indicates effective treatment with prednisone for a child with primary nephrotic syndrome?

1. Decrease in edema.

2. Increased abdominal girth.

3. Decreased appetite.

4. Increased protein in the urine.

The correct answer is: Decrease in edema.

A decrease in edema is a key manifestation that indicates effective treatment with prednisone for a child with primary nephrotic syndrome. Prednisone, a corticosteroid, helps reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response, which is beneficial in managing nephrotic syndrome. One of the primary symptoms of this condition is edema, or swelling, caused by excess fluid retention due to proteinuria (loss of proteins in the urine) and low serum protein levels. When prednisone treatment is effective, there will be a notable reduction in edema as the fluid balance begins to improve. The medication also helps in restoring protein levels in the bloodstream, which aids in alleviating the symptoms associated with nephrotic syndrome. The presence of increased abdominal girth, decreased appetite, or increased protein in the urine would not suggest effective treatment; instead, they are signs that further assessment and modification of the treatment plan may be required. Therefore, noticing a decrease in edema is a clear and positive indicator of the treatment's success.