What is the best step a nurse can take to monitor a child's weight effectively during treatment for edema?

To monitor a child's weight effectively during treatment for edema, using the same scale daily is essential. Consistency is crucial when tracking weight changes, especially in a clinical setting where accurate monitoring is necessary to assess the effectiveness of treatment for edema.

Different scales can have varying calibrations, and weighing a child at different times of the day can introduce fluctuations due to factors like fluid shifts, food intake, and activity levels. Therefore, using the same scale at the same time each day minimizes variables and helps to ensure that the weight measurements are reliable and comparable across the monitoring period. This approach allows the healthcare team to accurately evaluate trends in the child’s weight, which is critical for managing their condition effectively.

Calculating weight based on age does not provide a direct measurement, as it may not accurately reflect the child's current body weight, which is needed in cases of edema where weight change can indicate fluid retention or loss.