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 C
Explanation
The nurse should recognize that the statement "high-calorie formula encourages increased growth" is an appropriate understanding of interventions for an infant with FTT. High-calorie formula can help infants who are not gaining weight adequately to increase their calorie intake and promote growth.
Breast milk provides adequate nutrition for most infants, but in cases of FTT, the infant may require a higher calorie intake than breast milk can provide. Regular syringe feedings and fruit juice are not recommended interventions for FTT. Syringe feedings can cause aspiration and fruit juice does not provide the appropriate balance of nutrients needed for an infant's growth and development.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Flaring of the nares is a sign of increased respiratory effort, which is a manifestation of acute respiratory distress. This finding occurs when the child is attempting to draw in more air to meet the increased demand for oxygen.
Bilateral bronchial breath sounds can indicate consolidation or a bronchial obstruction, but they are not specific to acute respiratory distress.
Diaphragmatic respirations are a normal finding and may occur in response to respiratory distress, but they do not necessarily indicate acute respiratory distress.
A resting respiratory rate of 35 breaths/min is within the normal range for a 1-year-old child and does not necessarily indicate acute respiratory distress.
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