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:

Ask her to turn to one side. The supine position during labor can compress the vena cava, reducing blood flow to the uterus and potentially compromising fetal oxygenation. Turning the woman to her side, especially the left side, can relieve this pressure and improve blood flow to the uterus, ensuring adequate oxygen supply to the fetus. This position change is crucial for the well-being of both the mother and the baby during labor.

Choice B rationale:

Elevate her feet and legs. Elevating the woman's feet and legs might not be effective in relieving the pressure on the vena cava, as it does not change the orientation of the uterus in relation to the vena cava. Turning the woman to her side is a more appropriate and effective action to improve blood flow to the uterus and fetus.

Choice C rationale:

Take her blood pressure. While monitoring the woman's blood pressure is essential during labor, it is not the most appropriate action in this situation. The priority is to relieve the compression of the vena cava by changing the woman's position.

Choice D rationale:

Determine whether fetal tachycardia is present. Monitoring the fetal heart rate is crucial during labor, but the woman's position should be the immediate concern if she is lying in the supine position. Changing her position to relieve the vena cava compression takes precedence to ensure adequate oxygenation to the fetus.