A nurse is assisting with the post-operative care of a child who has undergone heart surgery to repair a septal defect.
What is a key nursing intervention during this time?
Administering herbal supplements to aid in healing.
Monitoring the child's growth and development.
Ensuring the child maintains complete bed rest.
Assessing for signs of infection or bleeding at the surgical site.
The Correct Answer is D
Assessing for signs of infection or bleeding at the surgical site.
Choice A rationale:
Administering herbal supplements to aid in healing is not a key nursing intervention in post-operative care for a child who has undergone heart surgery.
The use of herbal supplements should be carefully considered and discussed with the healthcare team, as they may interact with medications or affect the child's recovery.
However, it's not a primary nursing intervention.
Choice B rationale:
Monitoring the child's growth and development is an important aspect of pediatric care, but it is not the key nursing intervention during the immediate post-operative period.
The primary focus in this phase is on assessing for immediate post-surgical complications and ensuring the child's stability and recovery.
Choice C rationale:
Ensuring the child maintains complete bed rest is not a recommended intervention in the post-operative care of a child who has undergone heart surgery.
While some restrictions on physical activity may be necessary, complete bed rest is generally not advisable.
Mobilization, as appropriate, is essential to prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis and to promote recovery.
Choice D rationale:
Assessing for signs of infection or bleeding at the surgical site is a key nursing intervention during the post-operative period.
Infection and bleeding are immediate post-operative complications that can have serious consequences.
Early detection and prompt intervention are crucial to ensure the child's safety and well-being.
Nursing assessments focus on monitoring vital signs, wound appearance, and any signs of infection or bleeding.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Measuring the level of oxygen in a child's blood does not help assess the electrical activity of the heart.
Oxygen measurement and the assessment of heart electrical activity are two separate concepts.
Choice B rationale:
Measuring oxygen levels in the blood primarily evaluates the child's oxygen saturation, not the respiratory rate and effort.
While oxygen saturation is related to respiratory function, it doesn't directly assess the rate and effort of breathing.
Choice C rationale:
Measuring the level of oxygen in a child's blood monitors oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry.
Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method used to measure the percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood.
This is important because it provides information about the child's oxygen levels, which is crucial for assessing their respiratory and circulatory status.
Choice D rationale:
Measuring the level of oxygen in the blood does not measure the child's weight and developmental milestones.
This response is unrelated to the purpose of monitoring oxygen levels in the blood.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Assessing for signs of infection or bleeding at the surgical site.
Choice A rationale:
Administering herbal supplements to aid in healing is not a key nursing intervention in post-operative care for a child who has undergone heart surgery.
The use of herbal supplements should be carefully considered and discussed with the healthcare team, as they may interact with medications or affect the child's recovery.
However, it's not a primary nursing intervention.
Choice B rationale:
Monitoring the child's growth and development is an important aspect of pediatric care, but it is not the key nursing intervention during the immediate post-operative period.
The primary focus in this phase is on assessing for immediate post-surgical complications and ensuring the child's stability and recovery.
Choice C rationale:
Ensuring the child maintains complete bed rest is not a recommended intervention in the post-operative care of a child who has undergone heart surgery.
While some restrictions on physical activity may be necessary, complete bed rest is generally not advisable.
Mobilization, as appropriate, is essential to prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis and to promote recovery.
Choice D rationale:
Assessing for signs of infection or bleeding at the surgical site is a key nursing intervention during the post-operative period.
Infection and bleeding are immediate post-operative complications that can have serious consequences.
Early detection and prompt intervention are crucial to ensure the child's safety and well-being.
Nursing assessments focus on monitoring vital signs, wound appearance, and any signs of infection or bleeding.
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