The nurse is caring for an infant who was recently diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
Audible heart murmur.
Heart rate of 162 beats/minute.
Poor oral intake and suckling effort.
Weight gain of 2.2 lbs. (1 kg) in the last 48 hours.
The Correct Answer is C
Infants with congenital heart defects may have difficulty with feeding due to increased effort required to breathe and feed at the same time. This can lead to poor weight gain and dehydration. Thus, it is important for the nurse to report any signs of poor feeding or oral intake to the healthcare provider. While audible heart murmur (choice A) and a high heart rate (choice B) are expected findings in infants with congenital heart defects, they do not necessarily indicate a need for immediate intervention. Weight gain of 2.2 lbs. (1 kg) in the last 48 hours (choice D) may actually be a positive finding in an infant with a congenital heart defect, but it is not as important to report as poor oral intake and suckling effort.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
To prevent recurrence of otitis media in their infant. Exposure to secondhand smoke has been identified as a risk factor for recurrent otitis media.
B. While it is important to monitor the infant's ears for signs of infection, daily inspection alone is not sufficient to prevent recurrence of otitis media.
C. The prone position after feeding is not recommended for infants due to the risk of choking and aspiration, and it is not a preventive measure for otitis media.
D. While breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of otitis media, frequent breastfeeding alone is not sufficient to prevent recurrence of the condition.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should inspect the posterior oropharynx of a child who is frequently swallowing after tonsillectomy to assess for bleeding or the presence of clots. Swallowing frequently can be a sign of postoperative bleeding, which is a potential complication of tonsillectomy.
Touching the tonsillar pillars to stimulate the gag reflex or asking the child to speak would not provide information about the presence of bleeding.
Assessing for teeth clenching or grinding is not related to this particular observation.
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