In a child with acute glomerulonephritis, which vital sign should the nurse monitor for complications?

In a child with acute glomerulonephritis, monitoring blood pressure is crucial due to the condition's potential to cause hypertension. Acute glomerulonephritis often involves inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys, which can lead to fluid overload and increased vascular resistance. This results in elevated blood pressure that may indicate worsening kidney function or complications such as heart failure or hypertensive crises.

Properly assessing blood pressure allows healthcare providers to intervene appropriately and manage the risk of complications. While other factors like white blood cell count, capillary blood glucose, and urine specific gravity are important in certain contexts, they do not directly reflect the immediate complications associated with the inflammatory process in the kidneys as effectively as blood pressure does. Thus, vigilant monitoring of blood pressure is essential in managing a child with this condition.