Complete the bowtie diagram by identifying the most likely condition, selecting two expected assessment findings, and choosing two priority nursing interventions
The nurse reviews the infant's chart to plan care. Complete the diagram by dragging and dropping the choices below each heading.
The Correct Answer is []
Rationale:
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD): Logan shows poor weight gain, mild crackles in all lung fields, mild subcostal retractions, and a heart murmur. These are classic early signs of a left-to-right shunt caused by a VSD, leading to pulmonary overcirculation, increased work of breathing, and feeding difficulties in infants.
- Coarctation of the aorta: Typically presents with differential blood pressures between upper and lower extremities, weak or absent femoral pulses, and may show cyanosis or poor perfusion in lower extremities. Logan’s pulses are equal and blood pressure differences are minimal, making this less likely.
- Pulmonary stenosis: Often manifests with cyanosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, or a systolic ejection murmur at the upper left sternal border. Logan has no cyanosis at rest, and his murmur pattern suggests VSD rather than outflow obstruction.
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS): Presents with severe cyanosis, poor perfusion, and signs of cardiogenic shock in the neonatal period. Logan is alert, has normal oxygen saturation, and mild respiratory findings, which makes HLHS unlikely.
- Tachypnea with feeding: Infants with VSD often exhibit increased respiratory rate during exertion, such as feeding, due to pulmonary overcirculation. This compensatory mechanism reflects increased work of breathing to maintain adequate oxygenation.
- Sweating during feedings: This occurs because the heart must work harder to pump blood through the left-to-right shunt, especially during energy-demanding tasks like feeding. It indicates early heart failure symptoms in infants with VSD.
- Bounding peripheral pulses: This is more typical in conditions with increased stroke volume or patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) rather than isolated VSD. Logan’s pulses are normal, so bounding pulses are not expected.
- Cyanosis at rest: Cyanosis is not characteristic of a simple VSD with left-to-right shunt because oxygenated blood is still adequately delivered systemically. Logan’s oxygen saturation is 96% on room air, confirming absence of cyanosis.
- Prolonged capillary refill time (4–5 seconds): A prolonged capillary refill suggests poor systemic perfusion or shock. Logan is alert, warm, and has normal perfusion, making this finding unlikely.
- Feed on demand: Allowing the infant to feed according to hunger cues helps optimize caloric intake without causing fatigue. Infants with VSD have limited endurance, and on-demand feeding prevents exhaustion while improving weight gain.
- Encourage frequent small feedings: Smaller, more frequent feedings reduce energy expenditure per session, prevent fatigue, and improve overall nutritional status. This intervention is essential for infants with increased work of breathing.
- Monitor blood pressure closely: While important for some cardiac conditions like coarctation of the aorta, VSDs rarely cause systemic hypertension or require intensive BP monitoring in the acute setting.
- Provide iron supplementation: Iron supplementation is not routinely indicated for infants with VSD unless anemia is diagnosed. It does not address the primary issue of poor feeding and heart failure symptoms.
- Limit each feeding to 20 minutes: Strictly limiting feeding time may reduce caloric intake and worsen weight gain. Instead, feeding should accommodate the infant’s tolerance and energy level rather than imposing a strict time limit.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Somatic problems including frequent stomachaches and headaches: While some children with ASD may have gastrointestinal complaints or somatic symptoms, these are not core manifestations of the disorder. These issues may be secondary to stress, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities rather than defining features.
B. Destructiveness such as intentionally breaking toys, furniture, etc.: Intentional destructiveness is not a typical behavior associated with ASD. Children with ASD may have difficulty with frustration or transitions, but deliberately breaking objects is more characteristic of behavioral disorders rather than autism.
C. Repetitive behavior such as counting, arranging toys in a line, or hand flapping: Repetitive and stereotyped behaviors are hallmark features of ASD. These actions reflect the child’s need for predictability, sensory stimulation, or self-regulation and are commonly observed during early childhood.
D. Impulsive behavior such as throwing toys or running into the street without looking: Impulsivity is not a core symptom of ASD. While children with autism may have challenges with safety awareness or executive functioning, this behavior is more typical of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than ASD.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. "Your child can participate in activities like riding a bike, but should not participate in competitive sports.": Limiting participation in all competitive sports may be unnecessary for a school-aged child who had successful ASD repair with no residual defects. Over-restriction can negatively affect physical and social development.
B. "Your child can participate in team sports as tolerated.": After surgical repair of an ASD and with normal cardiac function, children can generally engage in age-appropriate sports. Encouraging activity as tolerated allows gradual participation while monitoring for symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations, or shortness of breath.
C. "Your child needs to limit their activity and cannot participate in any sports.": Total activity restriction is not indicated for a child with repaired ASD and normal cardiac function. Prolonged limitation could impede physical fitness, social skills, and psychosocial development.
D. "Your child can participate only in non-contact sports such as joining a swim team.": Restricting the child to non-contact sports is unnecessary if the heart repair is complete and the child remains asymptomatic. Participation should be guided by tolerance and cardiac evaluation rather than an absolute restriction to certain types of sports.
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