Congenital Heart Disorders

A parent is told their infant has a heart defect with a left to right shunt. What is the best way for the nurse to explain this type of shunting to the parent?

• This type of shunting causes an increase of blood to the systemic circulation.

• This type of shunting causes an increase of blood to the lungs.

• This type of shunting causes a decrease of blood to the brain.

• This type of shunting causes a decrease of blood to the lungs.

A 2-day-old infant was just diagnosed with aortic stenosis. What is the most likely nursing assessment finding?

• Gallop and rales

• Right ventricular hypertrophy on ECG

• Widening pulse pressure

• Bounding pulses

• Heart murmur

While assessing a 4-month-old infant, the nurse notes that the baby experiences a hypercyanotic spell. What is the priority nursing action? Fill-in-the-blank.

The nurse is administering digoxin as ordered and the child vomits the dose. What should the nurse do next?

• Contact the physician

• Offer a snack and administer another dose

• Immediately administer another dose

• Administer next dose as ordered in 12 hours

• Immediately administer half of a dose

The nurse is conducting a physical examination of a child with a suspected cardiovascular disorder. Which of the following findings would the nurse most likely expect to assess if the child had transposition of the great vessels?

• Significant cyanosis without presence of a murmur

• Abrupt cessation of chest output with an increase in heart rate/filling pressure

• Soft systolic ejection

• Holosystolic murmur

• Machine-like murmur

The nurse is caring for a 2-month-old infant who has been diagnosed with acute heart failure. The nurse is providing teaching about nutrition. Which of the following statements by the mother indicates a need for further teaching? Select all that apply.

• “The baby may need as much as 150 calories/kg/day.”

• “Small, frequent feedings are best if tolerated.”

• “I need to feed him every hour to make sure he eats enough.”

• “Gavage feedings may be required for now.”

• “I will need to restrict fluids and sodium for a while.”

The nurse is caring for an infant girl with a suspected cardiovascular disorder. Which of the following statements by the mother would warrant further investigation? Select all that apply.

• “My baby does not make any grunting noises.”

• “My baby’s eyes look swollen after crying.”

• “The baby seems more comfortable over my shoulder.”

• “The baby usually drinks all of her bottle.”

• “I don't notice any rapid breathing patterns.”

A 9-year-old child has undergone a cardiac catheterization and is being prepared for discharge. The nurse is instructing the parents and child about post procedure care. Which statement by the parents indicates that the teaching was successful?

• “This pressure dressing needs to stay on for 5 days from now.”

• “He can't eat but he can drink fluids for the next 24 hours.”

• “He should avoid taking a bath for about 3 days but he can shower.”

• “It's normal if he says he feels like his heart skipped a beat.”

A newborn is diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus. The nurse anticipates that the physician will most likely order which medication?

• Captopril

• Prostaglandin

• Indomethacin

• Sildenafil

• Furosemide

The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for the parents of a child who has been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. Which of the following would the nurse be least likely to include? Select all that apply.

• Daily weight assessment

• Maintenance of strict bed rest

• Prevention of infection

• Signs of complications

• Avoid SQ & IM injections