Pathophsiology
What is a ventricular septal defect?
A hole in the heart (specifically the ventricular septum)
What kind of ventricular septal defect is asymptomatic?
What indication determines if a child is tested for having a ventricular septal defect?
Observed Abnormalities (such as abnormal VS, pulse oximetry or presentation)
Over half of the children born with VSD have the defect heal on its own. Between what years of age is this most likely to occur?
The first 1 to 5 years
Nurses monitor and educate patients (and their caregivers) about the signs and symptoms of what medical emergency?
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Among congenital heart anomalies, a ventricular septal defect is the ...?
Most Common
What might a nurse hear or feel upon auscultation and palpation of a child with a moderate to severe ventricular septal defect?
A murmur and thrill
What two imaging tests are performed to initially test children who are suspected to have a ventricular septal defect?
Other than to wait and see if the heart defect heals on its own, what two different courses of treatment are there?
Medication and Surgery
Nurses may need to use nasogastric (NG) tube feedings to achieve which intervention?
Promote nutrition, support growth and development
In a ventricular septal defect where does the opening form?
Between the right and left ventricles
Before 1 year of age, approximately how many infants will present with signs and symptoms of a congenital heart defect?
About 50% (half)
The earlier a ventricular septal defect is repaired, the better. What age group has the lowest risk for a repair to be completed and the best prognosis?
Birth to 1 year old (Infants)
Which surgical procedure involves a catheter typically being inserted in a blood vessel in the groin, before travelling to the heart to place a mesh patch over the ventricular septal defect?
A transcatheter occlusion closure
Children with a ventricular septal defect are at higher risk for repetitive respiratory illnesses; therefore, which patient and family education is essential for caregivers to understand?
Infection Prevention
Why is the formation of a left-to-right shunt in the heart problematic?
It can cause the overload of blood volume in the right ventricle, leading to pulmonary complications.
What two complications might effect the lungs of a child with a ventricular septal defect?
Pulmonary hypertension and repeat respiratory infections
What four image tests can be done to confirm further or better observe a ventricular septal defect?
An Ultrasound, CT, MRI and Cardiac Catheterization
Which procedure involves both making an incision in the heart and incorporates the use of a catheter to place a path through a ventricular septal defect?
If a child with a ventricular septal defect is experiencing dyspnea and a decreased SPO2 stat, which intervention might a nurse need to administer?
Oxygen
What initial blood shunt can form in the heart due to the high pressure in the left ventricle?
Left-to-Right Shunt
What audible finding is created by the left-to-right shunt that forms in the heart?
Murmur
How many years post-operation do most children who receive surgery to repair a ventricular septal defect take to return to normal developmental levels?
1 to 2 years
What three things does pharmacological treatment try to improve in a patient with a ventricular septal defect?
Increase contractility strength, minimize fluid overload, and correct irregular rhythms
For children who have undergone a surgical repair of a ventricular septal defect, what two aspects of patient and family education are essential to understand so they can return to normal developmental levels 1 to 2 years after surgery?
Feeding, nutrition & activity guidance