A client asks the nurse about the potential risk factors for congenital heart diseases. Which response should the nurse provide?

A) The answer is A. Before administering digoxin, the nurse should check the infant's apical heart rate for a full minute. Digoxin is a medication used to improve cardiac contractility, and knowing the heart rate helps ensure the medication is given safely and at the correct dose.

B) Incorrect. While measuring blood pressure is essential in some cases, it is not the priority action before administering digoxin.

C) Incorrect. Assessing capillary refill time is an important part of the overall assessment, but it is not the priority action before giving digoxin.

D) Incorrect. While observing for respiratory distress is crucial, it is not the priority action in this specific scenario of preparing to administer digoxin. Checking the heart rate takes precedence.

A) The answer is A. The pallor and coolness of the skin may indicate poor cardiac output and impaired circulation commonly seen in congenital heart diseases. These signs are suggestive of reduced oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues.

B) Incorrect. The respiratory rate being within the normal range does not specifically point to a congenital heart disease. Other signs and symptoms should be assessed to confirm the diagnosis.

C) Incorrect. The closure and firmness of the fontanelle are related to the status of the infant's skull bones and do not directly indicate congenital heart disease.

D) Incorrect. Weight gain following the growth chart percentile for age is not directly associated with congenital heart diseases. There are more specific clinical indicators to consider in the assessment of this condition.