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:
A brilliant, uniform red reflex observed during a funduscopic examination is a normal finding. It indicates the absence of any abnormalities in the retina or lens. A normal red reflex is essential in ruling out serious conditions such as retinoblastoma, cataracts, or other eye abnormalities.
Choice B rationale:
An abnormal red reflex, especially if it is not uniform and brilliant, could indicate underlying eye conditions and would require referral to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation. However, in this scenario, the description provided indicates a normal finding, making this choice incorrect.
Choice C rationale:
A uniform red reflex does not suggest a possible visual defect that requires vision screening. A normal red reflex indicates the absence of significant visual abnormalities, making this choice incorrect.
Choice D rationale:
Small hemorrhages in the eye would not present as a brilliant, uniform red reflex. Hemorrhages typically appear as dark spots or patches and would be an abnormal finding requiring further evaluation. This choice is incorrect in the context of the described scenario.

Choice A rationale:

Advising the caller to take his wife to the nearest emergency room for evaluation is the appropriate response. The new mom's symptoms, including confusion and auditory hallucinations (conversations with herself), are indicative of a serious mental health condition. These symptoms could be caused by postpartum psychosis, a rare but severe form of postpartum depression. Postpartum psychosis requires immediate medical attention and hospitalization for the safety of both the mother and the baby. It is essential to rule out any potential medical causes and provide appropriate psychiatric evaluation and treatment in an emergency setting.

Choice B rationale:

Bringing the wife to the office for medication is not appropriate in this situation. The symptoms described by the baby's father are severe and require urgent evaluation in an emergency room. Medication management should only be initiated after a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, which can be conducted in an emergency room setting.

Choice C rationale:

Suggesting outpatient care is not appropriate in this case. The severity of the symptoms, including confusion and hallucinations, indicates the need for immediate evaluation in an emergency setting. Outpatient care is not sufficient for addressing acute psychiatric emergencies.

Choice D rationale:

Recommending behavioral therapy is not appropriate for a situation involving acute confusion and hallucinations. Behavioral therapy is a valuable treatment for various mental health conditions, but it is not the appropriate intervention for acute symptoms like those described in this scenario.