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 D
A. Many infants with congenital heart defects exhibit audible murmurs due to turbulent blood flow through abnormal openings or stenotic valves. While a murmur is a diagnostic hallmark of the condition, it is often an expected finding and does not necessarily indicate acute physiological deterioration. The nurse must document the murmur, but it is rarely the most urgent finding to report.
B. A heart rate of 162 beats/minute in an infant is slightly elevated above the typical resting range but can be triggered by crying, feeding, or baseline cardiac stress from the defect. Although tachycardia requires close monitoring to ensure the infant is not entering a state of high-output failure, it is less critical than signs of fluid overload. It represents a compensatory mechanism rather than an immediate life-threatening complication.
C. Infants with cardiac defects often experience fatigue during feeding because of the high metabolic demand and decreased cardiac output. Poor suckling effort and inadequate oral intake are common symptoms of pediatric heart failure that lead to failure to thrive over time. While this finding is significant for long-term nutritional management, it does not suggest an acute, rapid shift in stability like sudden weight changes.
D. Rapid weight gain of 1 kg within 48 hours is the most critical finding because it indicates acute fluid volume excess and potential congestive heart failure. In an infant, such a significant increase is almost certainly due to fluid retention rather than nutritional growth. This clinical sign suggests that the heart is unable to manage the systemic or pulmonary circulation effectively, necessitating immediate medical intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Information about the child's reactions to any previous hospitalizations would be particularly helpful in planning care for this six-year-old girl who is being admited for repair of an umbilical hernia. This information can help the nurse anticipate and address any fears or concerns the child may have about the hospitalization and procedure.
A list of achievement timeline for developmental milestones is not particularly relevant in this situation.
A history of rubella, rubeola, or chicken pox is not particularly relevant in this situation.
Information about the mother's use of alcohol, drugs, or cigaretes during pregnancy is not particularly relevant in this situation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Answer: A. Biopsy may rupture the encapsulated tumor and cause the cancer cells to spread.
Rationale:
A) Biopsy may rupture the encapsulated tumor and cause the cancer cells to spread: This is the primary reason why surgery is performed before a biopsy in cases of Wilms tumor. The tumor is usually encapsulated, and performing a biopsy could risk breaking the capsule, leading to the dissemination of cancer cells into surrounding tissues, which can worsen the prognosis.
B) Metal clips are surgically applied at the tumor site for exact marking for radiation: While marking the tumor site for radiation is important, it is not the primary reason for performing surgery before a biopsy. The main concern is about the potential for cancer cell spread during a biopsy procedure.
C) Surgery is necessary to stage the tumor and determine metastasis to other sites: Although staging is a critical aspect of cancer management, the urgency of avoiding tumor rupture and subsequent spread is more pressing in this context. The surgery may assist in staging, but that is not the primary reason for immediate surgical intervention.
D) The surgery provides a visualization of other pathology and dysfunction of the kidney: While the surgical procedure may provide additional information about the kidney's condition, the most significant concern regarding Wilms tumor is preventing tumor rupture and the consequent spread of cancer cells, making this option less relevant.
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