A mother brings her 18-month-old toddler to the pediatric cl…
A mother brings her 18-month-old toddler to the pediatric clinic after the child has experienced 5 episodes of watery diarrhea over the past 12 hours. The nurse notes the child is alert but irritable, has dry mucous membranes, and a slightly prolonged capillary refill time. The child is diagnosed with mild dehydration secondary to acute viral gastroenteritis. Which initial action should the nurse take?