A nurse is caring for a child who is postoperative following surgical correction of Tetralogy of Fallot. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of heart failure?

Choice A reason: Removing the child's pressure dressing after the first 4 hours is not recommended as it may increase the risk of bleeding. The pressure dressing is typically kept in place longer to ensure hemostasis.

Choice B reason: Maintaining the child's NPO status for 4 to 6 hours post-procedure is a standard practice to prevent nausea and vomiting while anesthesia wears off, but it is not the most critical action in this context.

Choice C reason: Keeping the affected extremity straight for at least 6 hours is essential to prevent bleeding from the catheterization site. This is a critical postoperative care step following arterial cardiac catheterization.

Choice D reason: Monitoring output using an indwelling urinary catheter for the first 24 hours is important for assessing kidney function and fluid balance but is not the immediate priority post-cardiac catheterization.

Choice A reason: Emotional separation from parents is a part of the normal individuation process that occurs during adolescence, but it is not as immediate or noticeable as mood swings during early adolescence.

Choice B reason: Mood swings are common during early adolescence due to hormonal changes and the development of the child's identity. This can result in rapid and intense emotional responses to situations.

Choice C reason: Increased self-esteem is a possible outcome of successful navigation through adolescence, but it is not guaranteed and is not a characteristic that can be expected to manifest uniformly during early adolescence.

Choice D reason: A decelerating growth rate is more characteristic of late adolescence after the major growth spurts have occurred. Early adolescence is typically a time of continued growth and development.