The nurse is providing teaching to parents of a child diagnosed with rheumatic fever (RF). Which would be included within the teaching plan?
there should be a management regimen for electrolyte imbalance
The child will recover fully requiring no further treatment in the future
the child will need prophylactic antibiotics for invasive procedures
a diagnosis of RF may have genetic implications for future offspring
The Correct Answer is C
Rheumatic fever (RF) is a complication that can occur after an untreated or inadequately treated streptococcal throat infection (strep throat). It can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain. One important aspect of managing RF is to prevent further episodes of strep throat, as it can trigger recurrent RF. Therefore, the child with a history of RF will require prophylactic antibiotics (usually penicillin or a related antibiotic) before certain invasive procedures, dental work, or surgeries to prevent strep throat and subsequent recurrence of RF.
Option A is not specific to rheumatic fever, and while electrolyte imbalances may be monitored and managed in certain cases of severe illness, it is not a core aspect of managing RF.
Option B is not accurate. While many children with RF do recover fully with appropriate treatment, they may be at risk of developing rheumatic heart disease, which can lead to long-term complications if not managed properly.
Option D is not a direct implication of RF. Rheumatic fever is not a genetically inherited condition, but a complication of strep throat caused by a bacterial infection. There is no evidence to suggest that having RF would directly affect the genetic implications for future offspring.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should expect to find irritability in an infant who is dehydrated. Dehydration in infants can lead to changes in behavior and irritability due to the imbalance in fluid and electrolytes. Other common signs of dehydration in infants may include:
Poor skin turgor (skin tenting)
Sunken fontanelles (soft spots on the baby's head)
Dry mucous membranes (dry mouth and tongue)
Decreased urine output or concentrated urine
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Increased respiratory rate
Sunken eyes
Decreased tears when crying
B. Tetany is a condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and is more commonly associated with hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) rather than dehydration.
C. A slow, bounding pulse is not typically associated with dehydration. Dehydration often leads to a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) as the body attempts to compensate for the loss of fluid.
D. Decreased temperature is not a typical finding in dehydration. Dehydration can lead to fever in some cases due to an underlying infection, but it does not cause a decrease in body temperature on its own.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
In this scenario, the infant has a heart rate of 190/min and a fever of 40°C (104°F). Fever in infants can cause an increase in heart rate, which is a normal physiological response to elevated body temperature. Fever is the body's way of responding to an infection or illness, and it triggers various physiological changes, including an increase in heart rate. This helps the body to circulate blood and deliver immune cells to fight off the infection.
The other options are not accurate or relevant to the infant's current condition:
A. "This is within the expected range for your baby." - A heart rate of 190/min is above the normal expected range for a 2-month-old infant, which is typically between 120 to 160 beats per minute. This response would not address the elevated heart rate and fever.
C. "As your baby begins to fall asleep, his heart rate will decrease." - While heart rate may decrease during sleep, it does not explain the elevated heart rate and fever observed in this situation.
D. "Your baby's heart is beating fast in an attempt to cool down his body." - While tachycardia (fast heart rate) can be associated with increased metabolic demands during fever, the main reason for the increased heart rate in this case is the fever itself, not the body's attempt to cool down. Fever is a response to infection or illness and can cause an increase in heart rate as part of the body's normal immune response.
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