The mother of a child with celiac disease asks the nurse how long a special diet is necessary. The nurse provides which instruction to the mother to promote dietary compliance?

Celiac disease is characterized by intolerance to gluten, the protein component of wheat, barley, rye, and oats. The main nursing consideration with celiac disease is helping the child adhere to dietary management. The treatment of celiac disease consists primarily of dietary management with a gluten-free diet. Options 2 and 4 are true statements, but they do not answer the question that the client is asking. Children with untreated celiac disease may have lactose intolerance, which usually improves with gluten withdrawal. Additional sodium does not prevent celiac crisis. Low levels of potassium, calcium, and magnesium are most likely to be present. Nutritional deficiencies resulting from malabsorption are treated with appropriate supplements.