Peds cardiac

Prostaglandin E1 is prescribed for a child with transposition of the great arteries. The mother of the child is a registered nurse and asks the nurse why the child needs the medication. What is the most appropriate response to the mother about the action of the medication?

Maintains adequate cardiac output A child with transposition of the great arteries may receive prostaglandin E1 temporarily to increase blood mixing if systemic and pulmonary mixing are inadequate to maintain adequate cardiac output. The remaining options are incorrect. In addition, tet spells occur in tetralogy of Fallot, not in transposition of the great arteries.

The nurse is developing a plan of care for a child admitted with a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. In developing the initial plan of care, the nurse should include to monitor the child for signs of which condition?

Heart failure (HF) Kawasaki disease is a cause of acquired heart disease in children.

A nurse is reviewing the health record of an infant with a diagnosis of congenital heart disease. The nurse notes documentation in the record that the infant has clubbing of the fingers. The nurse understands that this finding is caused by which problem?

Poor oxygenation

A health care provider has prescribed oxygen as needed for an infant with heart failure. In which situation should the nurse administer the oxygen to the infant?

When drawing blood for electrolyte level testing

The nurse reviews the laboratory results for a child with rheumatic fever and would expect to note which findings? Select all that apply

Presence of Aschoff's bodies Elevated antistreptolysin O titer Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate

A child with rheumatic fever will be arriving in the nursing unit for admission. On admission assessment, the nurse should ask the parents which question to elicit assessment information specific to the development of rheumatic fever?

"Did the child have a sore throat or fever within the last 2 months?" Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the connective tissues of the heart, joints, skin (subcutaneous tissues), blood vessels, and central nervous system. Rheumatic fever characteristically manifests 2 to 6 weeks after an untreated or partially treated group A b-hemolytic streptococcal infection of the upper respiratory tract. Initially, the nurse determines whether the child had a sore throat or an unexplained fever within the past 2 months

The nurse is collecting data on a child with a diagnosis of rheumatic fever (RF). Which question should the nurse initially ask the mother of the child?

"Has the child complained of a sore throat within the past few months?" RF characteristically presents 2 to 6 weeks following an untreated or partially treated group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection of the upper respiratory tract. Initially, the nurse determines whether the child or any family members have had a sore throat or unexplained fever within the past 2 months.

The nurse has provided home care instructions to the parents of a child who is being discharged after cardiac surgery. Which statement made by the parents indicates a need for further instructions?

"I can apply lotion or powder to the incision if it is itchy." Lotions and powders can irritate the surrounding skin, which could lead to skin breakdown and subsequent infection of the incision site.

The mother of a child being discharged after heart surgery asks the nurse when the child will be able to return to school. Which is the most appropriate response to the mother?

"The child may return to school in 3 weeks but needs to go half-days for the first few days."

The nurse is monitoring an infant with heart failure (HF). Which sign alerts the nurse to suspect fluid accumulation and the need to call the health care provider (HCP)?

A weight gain of 1 lb in 1 day

A 1-year-old infant with a diagnosis of heart failure is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). The nurse takes the apical pulse for 1 minute before administering the medication and obtains a result of 102 beats/min. Which action should the nurse take?

Administer the medication Infant-100 Toddler- 90 Preschooler- 80 School age- 70 Adolescent

The nurse reviews the laboratory results for a child with a suspected diagnosis of rheumatic fever, knowing that which laboratory study would assist in confirming the diagnosis?

Anti-streptolysin O titer

On assessment of a child admitted with a diagnosis of acute-stage Kawasaki disease, the nurse expects to note which clinical manifestation of the acute stage of the disease?

Conjunctival hyperemia Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute systemic inflammatory illness. In the acute stage, the child has a fever, conjunctival hyperemia, red throat, swollen hands, rash, and enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes. In the subacute stage, cracking lips and fissures, desquamation of the skin on the tips of the fingers and toes, joint pain, cardiac manifestations, and thrombocytosis occur. In the convalescent stage, the child appears normal, but signs of inflammation may be present.

A child has been tentatively diagnosed with rheumatic fever. The nurse interprets that this diagnosis is consistent with which laboratory result obtained for this child?

Elevated antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer In the presence of rheumatic fever, the child will exhibit an elevated ASO titer, an elevated ESR, leukocytosis, and a positive result on CRP determination

The nurse is caring for an infant with a diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot. The infant suddenly becomes cyanotic, and the nurse recognizes that the infant is experiencing a hypercyanotic spell (blue or tet spell). The nurse immediately places the infant in what position?

Knee-chest position If a hypercyanotic spell occurs, the nurse immediately places the infant in a knee-chest position. This position improves systemic arterial oxygen saturation.

The nurse is monitoring an infant with congenital heart disease closely for signs of heart failure (HF). The nurse should assess the infant for which early sign of HF?

Tachycardia

A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin (Lanoxin) to an infant with heart failure. Before administering the medication, the nurse double-checks the dose, counts the apical heart rate for 1 full minute, and obtains a rate of 88 beats/minute. Based on this finding, which is the appropriate nursing action?

Withhold the medication. If the heart rate is less than 100 beats/minute in an infant, the nurse would withhold the dose and contact the health care provider.

A child with a diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot exhibits an increased depth and rate of respirations. On further assessment, the nurse notes increased hypoxemia. The nurse interprets these findings as indicating which situation?

A hypercyanotic episode Children with tetralogy of Fallot or similar physiology may experience hypercyanotic episodes, or tet spells. These episodes are characterized by increased respiratory rate and depth and increased hypoxia. Immediate HCP notification is not required unless other appropriate nursing interventions are unsuccessful.

A nurse is caring for an infant with congenital heart disease. Which, if noted in the infant, should alert the nurse to the early development of heart failure (HF)?

Diaphoresis during feeding The early symptoms of HF include tachypnea, poor feeding, and diaphoresis during feeding. Tachycardia would occur during feeding. Paleness of the skin, pallor, may be noted in the infant with HF, but it is not an early symptom. A strong sucking reflex is unrelated to the development of HF.

The nurse is closely monitoring the intake and output of an infant with heart failure who is receiving diuretic therapy. The nurse should use which most appropriate method to assess the urine output?

Weighing the diapers Although Foley catheter drainage is most accurate in determining output, it is not the most appropriate method in an infant and places the infant at risk for infection.

The nurse provides home care instructions to the parents of a child with heart failure regarding the procedure for administration of digoxin (Lanoxin). Which statement made by the parent indicates the need for further instructions?

"If my child vomits after medication administration, I will repeat the dose." Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside. The parents need to be instructed that if the child vomits after digoxin is administered, they are not to repeat the dose.

A child is being discharged from the hospital following heart surgery. Prior to discharge, the nurse reviews the discharge instructions with the mother. Which statement by the mother indicates a need for further teaching?

"Visitors are not allowed for 1 month." visitors without signs of any infection are allowed to visit the child. The mother should be instructed, however, that the child needs to avoid large crowds of people for 1 week following discharge.

The clinic nurse reviews the record of a child just seen by a health care provider and diagnosed with suspected aortic stenosis. The nurse expects to note documentation of which clinical manifestation specifically found in this disorder?

Exercise intolerance A child with aortic stenosis shows signs of exercise intolerance, chest pain, and dizziness when standing for long periods

A 12-year-old is admitted to the hospital with a low-grade fever and joint pain. Which diagnostic test finding will assist to determine a diagnosis of rheumatic fever?

Presence of Aschoff's bodies Rheumatic fever develops after a group A β-hemolytic streptococcal infection, particularly pharyngitis. Initial diagnosis is made by noting the presence of Aschoff's bodies, or hemorrhagic bullous lesions, in the heart, joints, skin, and central nervous system; an elevated antistreptolysin O titer; an elevated C-reactive protein level; and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Reed-Sternberg cells are found in Hodgkin's disease.

The nurse is caring for a child with a diagnosis of a right-to-left cardiac shunt. On review of the child's record, the nurse should expect to note documentation of which most common assessment finding?

Bluish discoloration of the skin The child with a right-to-left shunt will be considerably sicker than a child with a left-to-right shunt. Many of these children will present with symptoms in the first week of life. The most common assessment finding in these children is bluish discoloration of the skin, known as cyanosis. The child may also become dyspneic after feeding, crying, and other exertional activities. Many children with a left-to-right shunt may remain asymptomatic.

The nurse is reviewing the health care provider's prescriptions for a child with rheumatic fever (RF) who is suspected of having a viral infection. The nurse notes that acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is prescribed for the child. Which nursing action is most appropriate?

Consult with the health care provider to verify the prescription. Anti-inflammatory agents, including aspirin, may be prescribed for the child with RF. Aspirin should not be given to a child who has chickenpox or other viral infections. Therefore, the nurse should consult with the health care provider to verify the prescription. The nurse would not administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) without specific health care provider's prescriptions.

A nurse is assigned to care for an infant with tetralogy of Fallot. The mother of the infant calls the nurse to the room because the infant suddenly seems to be having difficulty breathing. The nurse enters the room and notes that the infant is experiencing a hypercyanotic episode. What is the initial action by the nurse?

Place the infant in a knee-chest position. If a hypercyanotic episode occurs, the infant is placed in a knee-chest position. The knee-chest position is thought to increase pulmonary blood flow by increasing systemic vascular resistance. This position also improves systemic arterial oxygen saturation by decreasing venous return, so that smaller amounts of highly saturated blood reach the heart. Toddlers and children squat to obtain this position and relieve chronic hypoxia

The nurse is assessing a newborn with heart failure before administering the prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). In reviewing the laboratory data, the nurse notes that the newborn has a digoxin blood level of 2.4 ng/mL and an apical heart rate of 98 beats/min. The mother also tells the nurse that the newborn just vomited her formula. Which intervention should the nurse take?

Withhold the medication and notify the health care provider. The apical pulse rate for a newborn is 120 to 140 beats/min. The therapeutic digoxin level ranges from 0.5 to 2.0 ng/dL. Because the apical rate is low and the digoxin blood level is elevated, indicating toxicity, the nurse would withhold the medication and notify the health care provider.