Which practice helps monitor fluid status in a child with congestive heart failure?

• A. Daily weight monitoring
• B. Weekly weight monitoring
• C. Monthly weight monitoring
• D. No weight monitoring

Answer: (A)

Daily weight monitoring is the best way to keep track of fluid status in a child with heart failure. Weight changes reflect fluid shifts in the body, often before other symptoms appear. By weighing every day at the same time, on the same scale, with similar clothing, and logging the results, you can detect a rising trend that signals fluid overload early. This lets clinicians adjust treatment, such as diuretics, before problems worsen. While weekly or monthly checks may miss rapid changes, and not measuring weight provides no trend data, daily tracking gives a clear, practical signal to guide timely care.