A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old Infant with a diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) who is experiencing a hypercyanotic spell. The Infant is lethargic and has a weak cry. What is the priority nursing action for this Infant?
Administer morphine sulfate to help alleviate pain and anxiety.
Provide supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula.
Offer the infant a pacifier to calm down.
Place the infant in a knee to chest position.
The Correct Answer is D
A. While morphine can help to relieve anxiety and pain, it does not address the underlying cause of a hypercyanotic spell, which is the right-to-left shunting. The first step should be positioning the infant properly.
B. Although oxygen is helpful, it will not be as effective as using the knee-to-chest position to alleviate the underlying circulatory issue causing the hypercyanotic spell.
C. While comforting the child is important, a pacifier will not help in alleviating the hypercyanotic spell and is not the primary intervention in this emergency situation.
D. In a hypercyanotic spell, the priority is to increase systemic vascular resistance to decrease the right- to-left shunting of blood. The knee-to-chest position is effective for this, as it increases the resistance in the lower extremities, helping to improve oxygenation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Chelation therapy does not stimulate hemoglobin production; it primarily targets iron overload, which can occur due to repeated transfusions.
B. Chelation therapy helps remove excess iron from the body, which accumulates due to frequent blood transfusions required in children with thalassemia.
C. Chelation therapy does not stimulate RBC production. It addresses the issue of iron overload.
D. Chelation therapy does not prevent infections. It is specifically used to treat iron overload in thalassemia patients.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A complete blood count (CBC) may be ordered later if further infection or sepsis is suspected, but it is not the first diagnostic test.
B. Urinalysis is the most appropriate initial test to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is common in children with symptoms such as dysuria and irritability.
C. An abdominal ultrasound is more appropriate if there are concerns about abdominal pathology, which is not suggested by the symptoms.
D. A bladder scan is not the first diagnostic step and would be used to assess post-void residual urine if necessary.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.