During a follow-up clinic visit, a mother tells the nurse that her 5-month-old son who had surgical correction for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) has rapid breathing, often takes a long time to eat, and requires frequent rest periods. The infant is not crying while being held and his growth is in the expected range. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
Evaluate infant for failure to thrive (FTT).
Auscultate heart and lungs while infant is held.
Stimulate the infant to cry to produce cyanosis.
Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Evaluating the infant for failure to thrive (FTT) is not the most appropriate initial intervention in this case. FTT is a long-term growth issue, and the immediate concern is the infant's current symptoms and cardiac status.
B. Auscultate heart and lungs while the infant is held.
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital heart defect that includes four specific cardiac abnormalities, and it often requires surgical correction in infancy. When an infant with a history of TOF surgery presents with symptoms such as rapid breathing, feeding difficulties, and fatigue, it may raise concerns about potential cardiac issues or complications.
The most appropriate initial intervention is to auscultate the infant's heart and lungs while the infant is held to assess for any abnormal heart sounds or signs of respiratory distress. Auscultation can provide important information about the infant's cardiac and respiratory status. This assessment will help determine if there are any immediate concerns related to the infant's cardiac condition.
C. Stimulating the infant to cry to produce cyanosis is not a recommended or appropriate intervention. Cyanosis is a sign of inadequate oxygenation and should not be induced in a child.
D. Obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram may be indicated if there are significant concerns about the infant's cardiac status, but auscultation should be performed first to assess the immediate condition. An electrocardiogram is a diagnostic tool and would be ordered as a follow-up assessment if needed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Normal gait can be expected with appropriate management and treatment for clubfoot. With early and effective intervention, many children with clubfoot can achieve a normal gait.
B. Growth and development are not typically delayed as a long-term outcome of clubfoot when it is appropriately managed. The goal of treatment is to achieve normal foot development and function.
C. While heredity can play a role in clubfoot, it is not typically a sole determinant of the outcome. The success of treatment primarily depends on the timeliness and effectiveness of the interventions.
D Correction will require serial casting.
Unilateral clubfoot is a congenital deformity of the foot that can often be effectively managed with non-surgical interventions. Serial casting is a common and successful approach used to gradually correct the deformity. Parents should be informed that serial casting is likely to be a part of the treatment plan for their child's clubfoot.
Therefore, it is essential to educate parents that correction of unilateral clubfoot will likely require serial casting and that with appropriate treatment, the child can achieve a normal gait and experience normal growth and development.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Gathering supplies for an Intravenous (IV) infusion may be necessary if the infant becomes dehydrated or requires fluid resuscitation, but it is not the first action to take when there are concerns about a potential intestinal obstruction.
B. Measure abdominal circumference.
The infant's failure to pass meconium stool and the vomiting of bilious secretions are concerning signs that could indicate an obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract. Measuring the abdominal circumference is an essential initial assessment to determine if there is abdominal distension or enlargement, which can be a sign of an obstruction. Abdominal distention can help the healthcare provider assess the severity of the issue and make informed decisions regarding further diagnostic tests and interventions.
C. Preparing for anorectal manometry is not the first step in this situation. Anorectal manometry is a diagnostic test that may be considered later, depending on the findings and the healthcare provider's assessment.
D. Monitoring strict urinary output is not the primary concern in this case; the focus should be on assessing the infant's gastrointestinal status and potential bowel obstruction.
The nurse should promptly measure the infant's abdominal circumference to assess for signs of abdominal distension or obstruction and then communicate these findings to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and intervention.
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