What is the nurse's first action when planning to teach the parents of an infant with a congenital heart defect (CHD)?

Choice A rationale:
Weighing the infant every day on the same scale at the same time is crucial in monitoring excess fluid volume in congestive heart failure. Sudden weight gain can indicate fluid retention, a common sign of worsening heart failure. Daily weight monitoring helps in early detection and timely intervention.
Choice B rationale:
Notifying the physician when weight gain exceeds more than 20 g/day might be too late for intervention. Daily weight monitoring is essential to detect trends and intervene promptly to manage excess fluid volume.
Choice C rationale:
Placing the infant in a car seat to minimize movement is not directly related to managing excess fluid volume in congestive heart failure. It is essential for safety during transportation but does not address the nursing diagnosis.
Choice D rationale:
Administering digoxin as ordered by the physician is a medical intervention for congestive heart failure. While important, the nursing diagnosis is related to excess fluid volume, and the focus should be on nursing interventions such as monitoring daily weights.

Choice A rationale:

The correct answer. Surfactant is a substance that decreases surface tension in the alveoli of the lungs, preventing them from collapsing and sticking together. By improving the ability of the baby's lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, surfactant therapy helps the infant breathe more effectively.

Choice B rationale:

Surfactant therapy is not related to sedation. Its primary function is to assist with lung function, not sedation.

Choice C rationale:

Surfactant therapy does not specifically address apnea. Its main purpose is to enhance the respiratory function of premature infants.

Choice D rationale:

Surfactant therapy is not used to fight respiratory tract infections. It is a treatment focused on improving the respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants.