What should the nurse prioritize when planning care for a child with diabetic ketoacidosis?

The correct answer emphasizes the immediate need for medical intervention in a child with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This condition is a serious, potentially life-threatening metabolic state that requires prompt treatment to prevent further complications. The administration of intravenous fluids is critical to address dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, while insulin is essential for lowering blood glucose levels and halting ketone production.

In situations like DKA, physiological stabilization takes precedence over education or referrals. While teaching the family about prevention and monitoring will be important in the long term and may follow after acute management, those steps are not the priority in the immediate care of the child. The focus of care should be on life-saving interventions, which includes both fluid resuscitation and insulin therapy, to mitigate the dangerous effects of the condition.

Thus, preparing to administer intravenous fluids and insulin directly correlates with the urgent care needs of the child, making it the right choice in this scenario.