A nurse is caring for an infant who has a congenital heart defect. Which of the following defects is associated with increased pulmonary blood flow?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects the production and function of certain glands, particularly those that produce mucus and sweat. One of the key aspects of CF management is addressing the pancreatic insufficiency that occurs in many individuals with CF. Due to the impairment of the pancreas, children with CF may have difficulty digesting food properly, especially fats. This can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, poor weight gain, and other nutritional deficiencies.

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is a crucial part of CF management. Pancreatic enzymes are prescribed to help the child digest and absorb essential nutrients, especially fats. The enzymes are typically given with each meal and snack to aid in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients.

The other options are not correct:

A. "We will restrict the amount of salt in our child's food."

Sodium restriction is generally not a focus in CF management unless there are specific indications for it. CF patients may have increased salt losses in sweat, but dietary sodium restriction is not a primary aspect of their care.

B. "I will limit my child's fluid intake."

Fluid intake is important for children with CF to maintain hydration and prevent dehydration. There is no specific need to limit fluid intake unless there are individualized medical reasons for doing so.

C. "I will prepare low-fat meals with limited protein for my child."

Children with CF often require a high-calorie, high-protein diet to maintain adequate nutrition and growth. Restricting fat and protein intake is not typically recommended, as these nutrients are essential for a child's development and well-being. Instead, pancreatic enzymes are used to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats and other nutrients.

A.Factor X is a clotting factor involved in the coagulation cascade. It is not directly related to preventing infections. While clotting factors are essential for hemostasis, they do not play a role in infection prevention.

B. Steroids can suppress the immune response, making the child more susceptible to infections. Therefore, they are not specifically administered to prevent infections

C. In a child with a sickle cell crisis who is hospitalized, preventing infections is crucial due to the increased risk of infections in this condition. Administering immunizations that the patient is scheduled for can help prevent certain infections.

Children with sickle cell disease are at a higher risk of bacterial infections, especially from encapsulated organisms like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Vaccines can help protect against these pathogens and reduce the risk of serious infections.

Some of the recommended immunizations for children with sickle cell disease include:

Pneumococcal vaccine: This helps protect against infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can cause severe respiratory and bloodstream infections.

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine: This protects against infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B, which can lead to serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis.

Meningococcal vaccine: This protects against Neisseria meningitidis, which can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections.

Influenza vaccine: This annual vaccine helps protect against seasonal flu, which can be severe in children with sickle cell disease.

Administering these vaccines according to the recommended schedule helps provide protection against certain infections and can improve outcomes for children with sickle cell disease during hospitalization and beyond. The other options, Factor X, steroids, and PCA morphine, are not specific measures for preventing infections in a child with sickle cell crisis.

D.PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) morphine is used for pain management during a sickle cell crisis. It does not directly prevent infections.