The nurse is conducting an admission assessment of an infant with heart failure who is scheduled for repair of restenosis of coarctation of the aorta that was repaired 4 days after birth. Findings include blood pressure higher in the arms than the lower extremities, pounding brachial pulses, and slightly palpable femoral pulses. Which pathophysiologic mechanism supports these findings?

Choice A reason: Weight gain of 0.5 kg/day is not a sign of a therapeutic response. It may indicate fluid retention, which is a common complication of nephrotic syndrome. Fluid retention occurs when the kidneys lose protein in the urine, leading to low blood protein levels and reduced oncotic pressure. This causes fluid to leak from the blood vessels into the tissues, resulting in edema and weight gain. The nurse should monitor the child's weight, fluid intake and output, and edema status.

Choice B reason: Decreased urinary output is not a sign of a therapeutic response. It may indicate kidney damage, which is a possible consequence of nephrotic syndrome. Kidney damage occurs when the glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidneys, become inflamed and scarred due to the loss of protein in the urine. This reduces the kidney's ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, resulting in oliguria or anuria. The nurse should measure the child's urine specific gravity, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels.

Choice C reason: Decreased periorbital edema is a sign of a therapeutic response. It indicates that the salt-poor human albumin IV is working to restore the blood protein levels and oncotic pressure. This helps to draw fluid back from the tissues into the blood vessels, reducing the swelling around the eyes and other parts of the body. The nurse should assess the child's skin turgor, capillary refill, and blood pressure.

Choice D reason: Increased periods of rest is not a sign of a therapeutic response. It may indicate fatigue, which is a common symptom of nephrotic syndrome. Fatigue occurs when the body loses protein and energy in the urine, leading to malnutrition and anemia. This causes the child to feel weak, tired, and lethargic. The nurse should provide the child with a high-protein, low-sodium diet, iron supplements, and adequate rest.

Choice A reason: Obtaining a swab of secretions from the penis and urethra is not the appropriate action to take in this situation. This may be done to test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, that can cause epididymitis, an inflammation of the tube that carries sperm from the testicle. However, epididymitis usually causes gradual pain and swelling, not sudden and severe, and is unlikely to be triggered by a physical activity. Moreover, obtaining a swab may be painful and unnecessary for the adolescent.

Choice B reason: Collecting a sterile urine sample for culture and sensitivity is not the appropriate action to take in this situation. This may be done to test for urinary tract infections (UTIs) or kidney stones that can cause testicular pain. However, UTIs and kidney stones usually cause other symptoms, such as burning or difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, or lower back pain. They are also unlikely to be triggered by a physical activity. Moreover, collecting a urine sample may be difficult and uncomfortable for the adolescent.

Choice C reason: Providing the adolescent with a urinal for urinary hesitancy is not the appropriate action to take in this situation. Urinary hesitancy is the difficulty or delay in starting or maintaining a urine stream. It can be caused by various factors, such as anxiety, medication, prostate problems, or nerve damage. It is not a common symptom of testicular pain and is not related to the cause of the pain. Moreover, providing a urinal may be embarrassing and unnecessary for the adolescent. ⁷

Choice D reason: Reporting the findings immediately to the healthcare provider is the appropriate action to take in this situation. Sudden and severe testicular pain and swelling can be a sign of testicular torsion, a medical emergency that occurs when the testicle twists and cuts off its blood supply. Testicular torsion can be caused by trauma, strenuous exercise, or cold temperature. It can lead to permanent damage or loss of the testicle if not treated promptly. The adolescent needs urgent evaluation and possible surgery to untwist the testicle and restore blood flow.