Following admission for a cardiac catheterization, the nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parents of a 2-year-old toddler with Tetralogy of Fallot. Which instruction should the nurse give the parents if their child becomes pale, cool, and lethargic?
Encourage oral electrolyte solution intake.
Contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Provide a quiet time by holding or rocking the toddler.
Assist the child to a recumbent position.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Electrolyte solutions address dehydration but are inappropriate for pale, cool, lethargic symptoms in Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), indicating a hypercyanotic spell from right-to-left shunting. Urgent medical intervention restores oxygenation, making this inadequate compared to addressing the critical hypoxic episode requiring provider attention.
Choice B reason: Pale, cool, lethargy in TOF signals a hypercyanotic spell, where pulmonary stenosis increases right-to-left shunting, causing cyanosis and hypoxia. Contacting the provider ensures rapid interventions (e.g., oxygen, beta-blockers), preventing cerebral hypoxia or cardiac arrest, addressing the urgent pathophysiological crisis effectively.
Choice C reason: Quiet time by holding or rocking may calm the toddler but does not treat hypoxic spells in TOF, where pale, cool symptoms indicate shunting and hypoxia. Delaying medical intervention risks severe hypoxia, making this less critical than contacting the provider for urgent management.
Choice D reason: A recumbent position worsens TOF’s hypercyanotic spell, increasing venous return and shunting, exacerbating hypoxia. Knee-chest positioning reduces shunting. Contacting the provider is urgent to address pale, cool, lethargic symptoms, ensuring interventions to restore oxygenation, making this position contraindicated.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Memory issues from TBI traumatic brain injury warrant cognitive assessment, not CAGE, which screens for alcoholism. Daily drinking suggests potential misuse, requiring CAGE. Memory affects recall, not alcohol screening priority, per substance abuse and neurological assessment standards in nursing admission interviews.
Choice B reason: Daily social drinking raises suspicion for alcohol misuse, warranting the CAGE questionnaire to screen for dependence. CAGE assesses alcohol-related behaviors, critical for identifying alcoholism in clients with regular intake, per substance abuse screening and admission assessment protocols in nursing practice.
Choice C reason: Antidepressant medication use suggests depression, requiring mental health assessment, not CAGE, which is for alcohol misuse. Daily drinking indicates screening need. Antidepressants are unrelated to alcohol patterns, per psychiatric and substance abuse assessment standards in nursing care during admission.
Choice D reason: Sexual assault history trauma requires trauma-informed care, not CAGE, which screens for alcoholism. Daily drinking triggers alcohol misuse screening. Assault history addresses psychological needs, per trauma assessment and substance abuse screening protocols, but CAGE is specific to alcohol in nursing.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Smoking exacerbates PAD via nicotine-induced vasoconstriction and endothelial damage, reducing blood flow and worsening atherosclerosis, especially post-MI. Cessation is critical to halt vascular damage, improve endothelial function, and prevent further MI or limb ischemia, addressing the primary pathophysiological driver of disease progression in this high-risk client.
Choice B reason: Reducing saturated fats and salt lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, mitigating atherosclerosis in PAD and MI. However, smoking directly causes vasoconstriction and plaque progression, making cessation more urgent. Dietary changes are secondary, as nicotine’s immediate vascular effects pose a greater risk to perfusion and cardiovascular health.
Choice C reason: Trimming toenails short prevents injury in PAD, where poor perfusion impairs healing. However, smoking cessation is more critical, as nicotine’s vasoconstrictive effects directly reduce arterial flow, worsening ischemia. Nail care is a minor preventive measure compared to addressing smoking, the primary contributor to PAD’s pathophysiology.
Choice D reason: Applying a heating pad is contraindicated in PAD, as reduced sensation increases burn risk, and heat doesn’t improve arterial insufficiency. Smoking cessation is paramount, as nicotine exacerbates vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow and risking tissue necrosis. Cessation directly addresses PAD’s vascular pathology, making it the priority instruction.
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