The nurse is giving instructions to parents of a 4-month-old infant with tetralogy of Fallot. Important teaching points should include:

Choice A reason: Suctioning the mouth and nasopharyngeal passages is the most important priority for airway care after a cleft palate repair. This is because the infant may have blood, mucus, or secretions in the mouth or nose that can obstruct the airway and cause breathing difficulties. Suctioning can help clear the airway and prevent aspiration, infection, or hypoxia.

Choice B reason: Cleaning the suture line with normal saline is an important part of wound care after a cleft palate repair, but it is not the most important priority for airway care. Cleaning the suture line can help prevent infection, promote healing, and reduce scarring. However, it should be done gently and carefully, as not to disturb the sutures or cause bleeding.

Choice C reason: Elevating the head of the bed 30 degrees is a helpful measure to facilitate breathing and drainage after a cleft palate repair, but it is not the most important priority for airway care. Elevating the head of the bed can help reduce swelling, congestion, and pressure on the surgical site. However, it should be done with caution, as not to cause neck flexion or extension that may compromise the airway.

Choice D reason: Giving IV morphine for pain is a necessary intervention to provide comfort and analgesia after a cleft palate repair, but it is not the most important priority for airway care. Giving IV morphine can help relieve the pain and distress that the infant may experience after the surgery. However, it should be given with close monitoring, as it may cause respiratory depression, sedation, or hypotension.

Choice A reason: This is a correct statement, as assessing the affected extremity for temperature and color can help detect any signs of vascular injury or thrombosis after the cardiac catheterization. The extremity should be warm and pink, indicating adequate blood flow. If the extremity is cold, pale, or cyanotic, it may indicate ischemia or occlusion¹.

Choice B reason: This is not a correct statement, as managing hydration with IV fluids until able to tolerate oral fluids is not a necessary intervention after the cardiac catheterization. The child may be able to resume oral fluids as soon as they are awake and alert, unless there are contraindications such as nausea or vomiting. IV fluids may be given to prevent dehydration or hypotension, but they should be monitored carefully to avoid fluid overload or pulmonary edema¹².

Choice C reason: This is a correct statement, as checking pulses above the catheterization site for equality and symmetry can help detect any signs of arterial injury or spasm after the cardiac catheterization. The pulses should be strong and equal on both sides, indicating normal blood flow. If the pulses are weak, absent, or unequal, it may indicate arterial occlusion or narrowing¹.

Choice D reason: This is a correct statement, as monitoring vital signs frequently can help detect any signs of bleeding, infection, or cardiac complications after the cardiac catheterization. The vital signs should be stable and within normal limits, indicating normal hemodynamic status. If the vital signs are abnormal, such as hypotension, tachycardia, fever, or dysrhythmia, it may indicate hemorrhage, sepsis, or cardiac tamponade¹².