Cardiac System
he school nurse has been following a child who comes to the office frequently for vague complaints of dizziness and headache. Today, she is brought in after fainting in the cafeteria following a nosebleed. Her BP is 122/85, and her radial pulses are bounding. The nurse suspects she has: 1. transposition of the aorta 2. coarctation of the aorta 3. aortic stenosis 4. pulmonic stenosis
2. In the older child, COA causes dizziness, headache, fainting, elevated blood pressure, and bounding radial pulses
reatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) in an infant began 3 days ago and has included digoxin and furosemide. The child no longer has retractions, lungs are clear , and HR is 96 beats per minute while the child sleeps. The nurse is confident that the child has diuresed successfully and has good renal perfusion when the nurse notes the childs urine output is a. 0.5cc/kg/hr b. 1cc/kg/hr c. 30cc/hr d. 1oz/hr
2. Normal pediatric urine output is 1 cc/kg/hr.
The Norwood procedure is used to correct: 1. Transposition of the great vessels. 2. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome. 3. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). 4. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
2. The Norwood procedure is specific to hypoplastic left heart syndrome
What should the nurse assess prior to administering digoxin? Select all that apply. 1. Sclera. 2. Apical pulse rate. 3. Cough. 4. Liver function test.
2. The apical pulse rate is assessed because digoxin decreases the HR, and if the HR is <60, digoxin should not be administered
While assessing a newborn with respiratory distress, the nurse auscultates a machine-like heart murmur. Other findings are a wide pulse pressure, periods of apnea, increased PaCO2, and decreased PO2. The nurse suspects that the newborn has: 1. Pulmonary hypertension. 2. Patent ductus arteriosus 3. ventricular septal defect 4. bronchopulmonary dysplasia
2. The main identifier in the stem is the machine-like murmur, which is the hallmark of a PDA.
Which assessment indicates that the parent of a 7-year-old is following the prescribed treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF)? 1. HR of 56 beats per minute. 2. Elevated red blood cell count. 3. 50th percentile height and weight for age. 4. Urine output of 0.5 cc/kg/hr.
3. The 50th percentile height and weight for age shows good growth and development, indicating good nutrition and perfusion.
Which plan would be appropriate in helping to control congestive heart failure (CHF) in an infant? 1. Promoting fluid restriction. 2. Feeding a low-salt formula. 3. Feeding in semi-Fowler position. 4. Encouraging breast milk.
3. The infant has a great deal of difficulty feeding with CHF, so even getting the maintenance fluids is a challenge. The infant is fed in the more upright position so fluid in the lungs can go to the base of the lungs, allowing better expansion.
During play, a toddler with a history of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) might assume which position? 1. Sitting. 2. Supine. 3. Squatting. 4. Standing.
3. The toddler will naturally assume this position to decrease preload by occluding venous flow from the lower extremities and increasing afterload. Increasing SVR in this position increases pulmonary blood flow
In which congenital heart defect (CHD) would the nurse need to take upper and lower extremity BPs? 1. Transposition of the great vessels. 2. Aortic stenosis (AS). 3. Coarctation of the aorta (COA). 4. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).
3. With COA there is narrowing of the aorta, which increases pressure proximal to the defect (upper extremities) and decreases pressure distal to the defect (lower extremities). There will be high BP and strong pulses in the upper extremities and lowerthan- expected BP and weak pulses in the lower extremities.
Patent ductus arteriosus causes what type of shunt? _____________________
Left to right. Blood flows from the higher pressure aorta to the lower pressure pulmonary artery, resulting in a left to right shunt
A 3-month-old has been diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect (VSD). The flow of blood through the heart is _____________________.
Left to right. The pressures in the left side of the heart are greater, causing the flow of blood to be from an area of higher pressure to lower pressure, or left to right, increasing the pulmonary blood flow with the extra blood
A newborn is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (CHD). The test results reveal that the lumen of the duct between the aorta and pulmonary artery remains open. This defect is known as
Patent ductus arteriosus or PDA.
Indomethacin may be given to close which congenital heart defect (CHD) in newborns?
Patent ductus arteriosus or PDA.
For the child with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which drug may be given to allow the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) to remain open until surgery?
Prostaglandin E.
A 6-month-old who has episodes of cyanosis after crying could have the congenital heart defect (CHD) of decreased pulmonary blood flow called _____________________.
Tetralogy of Fallot or TOF.
family discharge teaching has been effective when the parent of a toddler diagnosed with KD states 1. the arthritis in her knees is permanent, she will need knee replacements 2. i will give her benadryl for her peeling palms and soles of her feet 3. i know she will be irritable for 2 months after her symptoms started 4. i will continue high doses of tylenol for her inflammation
C
The nurse is caring for a 9-month-old who was born with a congenital heart defect (CHD). Assessment reveals a HR of 160, capillary refill of 4 seconds, bilateral crackles, and sweat on the scalp. These are signs of _____________________.
Congestive heart failure or CHF.
A child who has reddened eyes with no discharge; red, swollen, and peeling palms and soles of the feet; dry, cracked lips; and a "strawberry tongue" most likely has _____________________.
Kawasaki disease or KD.
A child diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) is receiving maintenance doses of digoxin and furosemide. She is rubbing her eyes when she is looking at the lights in the room, and her HR is 70 beats per minute. The nurse expects which laboratory finding? 1. Hypokalemia. 2. Hypomagnesemia. 3. hypocalcemia 4. hypophosphatemia
1 the rubbing of the child's eyes may mean that she is seeing halos around the lights, indicating digoxin toxicity. The HR is slow for her age and also indicates digoxin toxicity.
Which are the most serious complications for a child with Kawasaki disease (KD)? Select all that apply. 1. Coronary thrombosis. 2. Coronary stenosis. 3. Coronary artery aneurysm. 4. Hypocoagulability. 5. Decreased sedimentation rate. 6. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
1, 2, 3. Thrombosis, stenosis, and aneurysm affect blood vessels. The child with KD has hypercoagulability and an increased sedimentation rate due to inflammation.
Which medication should the nurse give to a child diagnosed with transposition of the great vessels? 1. Ibuprofen. 2. Betamethasone. 3. Prostaglandin E. 4. Indocin.
3. Prostaglandin E inhibits closing of the PDA, which connects the aorta and pulmonary artery.
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) involves which defects? Select all that apply. 1. Ventricular septal defect (VSD). 2. Right ventricular hypertrophy. 3. Left ventricular hypertrophy. 4. Pulmonic stenosis (PS). 5. Pulmonic atresia. 6. Overriding aorta. 7. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
1,2,4,6
Which interventions decrease cardiac demands in an infant with congestive heart failure (CHF)? Select all that apply. 1. Allow parents to hold and rock their child. 2. Feed only when the infant is crying. 3. Keep the child uncovered to promote low body temperature. 4. Make frequent position changes 5. feed the child when sucking the fists 6. change bed linens only when necessary 7. organize nursing activities
1,2,4,6,7 1. Rocking by the parents will comfort the infant and decrease demands. 4. Frequent position changes will decrease the risk for infection by avoiding immobility with its potential for skin breakdown. 5. An infant sucking the fists could indicate hunger. 6. Change bed linens only when necessary to avoid disturbing the child. 7. Organize nursing activities to avoid disturbing the child.
A nursing action that promotes ideal nutrition in an infant with congestive heart failure (CHF) is: 1. Feeding formula that is supplemented with additional calories. 2. Allowing the infant to nurse at each breast for 20 minutes. 3. Providing large feedings every 5 hours. 4. Using firm nipples with small openings to slow feedings
1. Formula can be supplemented with extra calories, either from a commercial supplement, such as Polycose, or from corn syrup. Calories in formula could increase from 20 kcal/oz to 30 kcal/oz or more.
he nurse is caring for a child with Kawasaki disease (KD). A student nurse who is on the unit asks if there are medications to treat this disease. The nurse's response to the student nurse is: 1. Immunoglobulin G and aspirin. 2. Immunoglobulin G and ACE inhibitors. 3. Immunoglobulin E and heparin 4. immunogloulin E and ibuprofen
1. High-dose immunoglobulin G and salicylate therapy for inflammation are the current treatment for KD.
Which patient could require feeding by gavage? 1. Infant with congestive heart failure (CHF). 2. Toddler with repair of transposition of the great vessels. 3. Toddler with Kawasaki disease (KD) in the acute phase. 4. School-age child with rheumatic fever (RF) and chorea.
1. The child may experience increased cardiac demand while feeding. Feedings by gavage eliminate that work and still provide high-calorie intake for growth.
Which physiological changes occur as a result of hypoxemia in congestive heart failure (CHF)? 1. Polycythemia and clubbing. 2. Anemia and barrel chest. 3. Increased white blood cells and low platelets. 4. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and peripheral edema.
1. The hypoxemia stimulates erythropoiesis, which causes polycythemia, in an attempt to increase oxygen by having more red blood cells carry oxygen. Clubbing of the fingers is a result of the polycythemia and hypoxemia.
A heart transplant may be indicated for a child with severe heart failure and: 1. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). 2. Ventricular septal defect (VSD). 3. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome. 4. Pulmonic stenosis (PS).
3. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is treated by the Norwood procedure, or heart transplant.
Which statement by a parent of an infant with congestive heart failure (CHF) who is being sent home on digoxin indicates the need for further education? 1. "I will give the medication at regular 12-hour intervals." 2. "If he vomits, I will not give a make-up dose." 3. "If I miss a dose, I will not give an extra dose 4. "i will mix the digoxin in some formula to make it taste better"
4. If the medication is mixed in his formula, and he refuses to drink the entire amount, the digoxin dose will be inadequate.
During a well-child checkup for an infant with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), the child develops severe respiratory distress and becomes cyanotic. The nurse's first action should be to: 1. Lay the child flat to promote hemostasis. 2. Lay the child flat with legs elevated to increase blood flow to the heart 3. sit the child on the parents lap, with legs dangling. to promote venous pooling 4, hold the child in knee-chest position to decrese venous return
4. The increase in the SVR would increase afterload and increase blood return to the pulmonary artery