An 8-month-old infant has a hyper-cyanotic Tet spell while blood is being drawn. Which of the following should the nurse's first action be?
Prepare the family for the child's imminent death
Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation compressions
Assess for neurologic defects
Administer oxygen by face mask
The Correct Answer is D
A. Preparing the family for imminent death is premature and inappropriate as the first action. Hyper-cyanotic spells (Tet spells) are medical emergencies but often reversible with prompt intervention.
B. CPR is not the first response unless the child is unresponsive and pulseless. Tet spells are managed with specific interventions to reduce hypoxia.
C. Assessing for neurological defects may be important later, but during an acute Tet spell, the priority is to restore oxygenation and stabilize the child.
D. The first action during a Tet spell is to administer oxygen to reduce pulmonary vasoconstriction and improve oxygenation. This is often followed by placing the child in a knee-chest position, giving morphine, and preparing for further medical support as needed. Oxygen is the most immediate, non-invasive intervention.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Edema in the legs and feet is more commonly associated with right-sided heart failure, not specifically with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
B. While oxygenation may improve after closure, the primary issue in PDA is not poor oxygenation but inefficient circulation.
C. In PDA, oxygenated blood from the aorta flows back into the pulmonary artery, causing extra blood to return to the lungs. Surgical closure prevents this left-to-right shunt, thereby reducing pulmonary overcirculation and improving cardiac efficiency.
D. The problem with PDA is not loss of unoxygenated blood to the systemic circulation — it’s the recirculation of already oxygenated blood to the lungs.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Peak expiratory flow meters should be used daily, not just once per week, to help monitor lung function and detect early signs of worsening asthma.
B. Children with asthma do not need to stop playing sports, including basketball. With proper management and medication (e.g., using a bronchodilator before exercise), most children can participate in physical activities.
C. Cromolyn sodium is a mast cell stabilizer used as a preventive medication, not to relieve acute symptoms. It is taken regularly to prevent attacks, not at the onset of breathing difficulty.
D. A key component of asthma education is identifying and avoiding known triggers, such as allergens, smoke, cold air, or exercise without pre-treatment. Avoiding these triggers can help prevent exacerbations.
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