A
Children with this condition often assume a squatting position to improve oxygenation by increasing venous return to the heart.
Tetralogy of Fallot
Children with Tetralogy of Fallot often experience episodes of hypoxia or Tet spells. Squatting helps by increasing systemic vascular resistance, which reduces the right-to-left shunting and improves oxygenation.
What should you expect when the blood pressure is higher in the arms than in the legs?
Coarctation of the aorta
"tightening" systolic BP is normally 10-15mm Hg higher in the legs than in the arms. SBP that is lower in the legs should be reported as it could be coarctation of the aorta.
What is a common finding in structurally normal hearts of infants and young
children?
a) Abnormal heart murmurs
b) Irregular heart rhythms
c) "Innocent" murmurs
d) Cardiomegaly
c) "Innocent" murmurs
Left to right shunting does not usually produce cyanosis true or false
True
Left to right shunting does not cause cyanosis because oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart is being redirected to the right side where it is sent back to the lungs for reoxygenation.
What cardiac disorder is associated with polyarthritis
Rheumatic fever
A classic symptom of rheumatic heart disease is migratory polyarthritis
A nurse is educating parents of an infant diagnosed with atrial septal defect. Which explanation best describes the condition.
a. there is a narrowing in one of the major blood vessels leaving the heart.
b. there is a hole in the wall between the upper chambers of the heart.
c. there is an abnormal connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery
d. the left side of the heart is underdeveloped and cannot pump blood effective
b. there is a hole in the wall between the upper chambers of the heart.
this defect allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the left atrium to the right atrium increasing pulmonary blood flow.
During the acute phase of this disease, the nurse should prioritize interventions to reduce inflammation and prevent coronary artery complications.
Kawasaki Disease
The disease can lead to serious cardiac complications, such as coronary aneurysms, if not managed promptly with interventions.
What is the difference between left and right sided heart failure?
left sided heart failure results in lung symptoms do to the back up of blood into the pulmonary vasculature while right side heart failure has rest of the body symptoms do to the back up of blood in the venous system.
What autoimmune disease occurs as a complication of untreated group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus infection of the throat?
Rheumatic fever
Which of the following is a potential complication if the newborns circulation fails to adapt from fetal circulation?
a) Respiratory distress
b) Congenital heart problems
c) Hypoglycemia
d) Jaundice
b) Congenital heart problems
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a pediatric patient with heart failure secondary to a cardiac defect. Which assessment finding should prompt the nurse to withhold the medication?
a. vomiting and diarrhea
b. heart rate of 90bpm
c. blood pressure of 100/60
d. respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute
a. vomiting and diarrhea
Which diagnostic test is considered the gold standard for evaluating structural and functional cardiac disease in children?
a) Chest X-ray
b) Electrocardiogram (ECG)
c) Echocardiography
d) Cardiac catheterization
c) Echocardiography
What are the four defects associated with tetralogy of fallot?
Stenosis of the pulmonary artery
hypertrophy of the right ventricle
displace aorta
ventricular septal defect
A nurse is educating the parents of a 10-year-old child diagnosed with hypertension about the DASH diet. Which statement by the parents indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "We will include more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in our child's
meals."
B. "We will limit our child's intake of sugary drinks and snacks."
C. "We will prepare meals using fresh ingredients and avoid processed
foods."
D. "We will add extra salt to our child's meals to enhance the flavor."
D. "We will add extra salt to our child's meals to enhance the flavor."
Adding extra salt is counterproductive for managing hypertension, as it raises blood pressure and counteracts the purpose of the DASH diet, which is designed to reduce sodium intake and encourage heart healthy eating habits.
In Tetralogy of Fallot, one of the four congenital defects, overrides the ventricular septal defect; the aorta is shifted and receives blood from both ventricles instead of just the left ventricle. Which defect is described?
a. Ventricular septal defect
b. Hypertrophy of the right ventricle
c. Stenosis of the pulmonary artery
d. Displaced aorta
d. Displaced aorta
This congenital heart defect involves an abnormal opening between the left and right ventricles, leading to increased pulmonary blood flow and a loud, harsh systolic murmur. A loud, harsh murmur combined with a systolic thrill is characteristic of this defect.
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
VSD allows blood to flow from the left ventricle to the right ventricle due to the pressure gradient. This increases pulmonary blood flow, causing a loud, harsh systolic murmur often accompanied by a palpable systolic thrill.
What cardiac disorder causes deoxygenated blood to enter the systemic arterial circulation?
Tetralogy of Fallot
In cyanotic heart disease deoxygenated blood is allowed to enter circulation as a result of the four defects.
Which of the following are appropriate nursing interventions for a pediatric patient with congestive heart failure (CHF)? Select all that apply.
a) Positioning the infant to facilitate breathing
b) Providing small, frequent feedings with high-calorie formulas
c) Administering oxygen to relieve dyspnea
d) Encouraging strenuous physical activity to strengthen the heart
e) Minimizing disturbances and allowing adequate rest periods
a) Positioning the infant to facilitate breathing
b) Providing small, frequent feedings with high-calorie formulas
c) Administering oxygen to relieve dyspnea
e) Minimizing disturbances and allowing adequate rest periods
Ventricle septal defect (VSD) is an opening in the septum between the ventricles that allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the left ventricle to the right ventricle, causing extra blood flow to the lungs. Name 3 symptoms the nurse would expect to see from this?
a. Harsh murmur
b. Poor feeding
c. Failure to thrive
d. Breathing difficulties
e. Heart failure
f. Pulmonary hypertension
g. Growth delays
What cardiac disorder can be acquired or a result of a congenital defect?
heart failure
What is normal blood flow through the heart?
superior/inferior vena cava
right atrium
tricuspid valve
right ventricle
pulmonary valve
pulmonary artery
lungs
pulmonary veins
left atrium
mitral valve
left ventricle
aortic valve
aorta
body
A nurse would notice which signs and symptoms in a child experiencing a “Tet
Spell” from Tetralogy of Fallot.
a. Grunting, facial grimacing and inconsolable crying
b. Excessive hunger
c. Bluish skin during episodes of crying or feeding
d. Grasping pulling at the ears mouth and nose
d. Grasping pulling at the ears mouth and nose
c. Bluish skin during episodes of crying or feeding
A nurse is assessing a 2 week old infant diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect to assess? Select all that apply.
a. loud machine like murmur
b. cyanosis in the lower extremities
c. bounding peripheral pulse
d. poor feeding
e. clubbing of the fingers
a. loud machine like murmur
c. bounding peripheral pulse
d. poor feeding
PDA is the shunt between the pulmonary artery and aorta that does not close after birth. Blood moves from the aorta into the pulmonary artery causing oxygenated blood to recirculate through the lungs.
(The heart is working extra hard!!)
What are the three categories of heart defects.
lesions that increase pulmonary blood flow
lesions that restrict blood flow
lesions that decrease pulmonary blood flow
This pharmacological intervention, often prescribed for children with CHF, reduces preload by decreasing fluid volume and helps to alleviate symptoms like pulmonary edema and dyspnea.
administering diuretics
Diuretics like furosemide help reduce preload by decreasing fluid retention, alleviating symptoms such as pulmonary edema and dyspnea, which are common in children with CHF.