(Select all that apply): A nurse is educating a group of parents about congenital heart defects in children.
Which factors may contribute to the development of congenital heart defects in children? Select all that apply.

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.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse's response should include teaching proper positioning techniques as optimizing a child's respiratory function can be improved by correct positioning.

Proper positioning helps ensure that the child's airways are open and not obstructed, which is essential for effective breathing.

This is a fundamental aspect of respiratory care, especially in pediatric patients who may not be able to reposition themselves if they are uncomfortable or experiencing difficulty breathing.

Choice B rationale:

Administering vasodilators is not typically a measure to optimize a child's respiratory function.

Vasodilators are medications that dilate blood vessels and are usually used in specific cardiovascular conditions to reduce the workload on the heart.

They are not directly related to optimizing respiratory function.

Choice C rationale:

Monitoring growth patterns, while important for a child's overall health, is not a direct response to the client's question about optimizing respiratory function.

Growth patterns are assessed for general development and health, but they do not specifically address respiratory function.

Choice D rationale:

Providing information on the child's condition is essential, but it does not directly address the question about optimizing respiratory function.

While education is crucial, the primary focus should be on practical measures to improve the child's respiratory function, such as proper positioning and breathing techniques.